KPN and Electromagnetic Fields KPN and Electromagnetic Fields Electromagnetic Fields (EMF), or radiation, has attracted increasing attention lately. This document explains KPN’s basic assumptions in this respect: why this debate is important for KPN, what the recent developmeEnts are and their impact, the standards that apply to EMF and the institutes that are involved. What is KPN’s view on EMF? KPN is aware of social concerns about EMF emitted Monitoring Agency), and complies with all by mobile networks. As a provider of mobile com- the advisory guidelines and recommendations. munication services, KPN has clearly defined its role Upon request, KPN provides data to scientists in the debate on radiation. to support their research in the area of EMF and health. • KPN believes that conscientious handling of the health concerns about 5G (and health concerns • KPN acts immediately when the government about EMF emitted by mobile networks in gen- updates standards or advisory guidelines eral) is of crucial importance. As a supplier of vital based on new scientific information. infrastructure, KPN guarantees a mobile network that is safe for people and the environment. • KPN cooperates fully with all relevant authorities, including the regulatory body • KPN complies at all times with the exposure limits Agentschap Telecom (Radiocommunications determined by the ICNIRP (International Com- Agency Netherlands), in conducting EMF mission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection), surveys (i.e. taking regular measurements in the an international group of independent scientists. vicinity of transmitter masts) and publishing the measurement results. • As a provider of 5G and operator of a national mobile network, KPN adheres closely to these • KPN is committed to a safe, responsible rollout of ICNIRP guidelines and other advisory guidelines 5G and sees public support and coordination with published by the government. stakeholders as essential elements. • KPN keeps up with the latest scientific develop- • KPN contributes as much useful and factual ments in this area by monitoring the publica- information as possible to the public debate on tions of leading bodies, such as the Gezond- EMF. In doing so, KPN takes into account the heidsraad (Health Council of the Netherlands), general perception that KPN is a commercial Kennisplatform EMV (Dutch EMF Knowledge provider and therefore a biased party. Other Platform), the RIVM (Dutch National Institute of parties, such as the government, the RIVM and Public Health and Environmental Protection) Kennisplatform EMV, are appropriately positioned and the Antennebureau (Dutch Antenna to independently coordinate the public debate on EMF. 2 KPN and Electromagnetic Fields What are Electromagnetic Fields (EMF)? As a result, ionizing radiation can damage the Broadly speaking, there are two types of electromag- DNA in human cells. This contrasts with the netic fields: ionizing and non-ionizing radiation. This non-ionizing radiation associated with all low- distinction is important. When people hear the term frequency electromagnetic fields (between 10 kHz ‘radiation’, they generally think of dangerous forms of and 300 GHz). These radio-frequency fields are radiation such as x-rays and gamma rays. These are used for radio, television, mobile telephones and examples of ionizing radiation where the emitted other appliances and have no ionizing effect. particles or waves carry sufficient energy to detach electrons from atoms. Extremely Low-frequency Fields (ELF) Radio-frequency Fields (RF) Infrared Ultraviolet X-ray radiation Gamma radiation Extremely low-frequency Radio-frequency Fields (RF) Infrared Ultraviolet X-ray Gamma Frequency 1 Hz 10 Hz 102 Hz 103 Hz = 104 Hz 105 Hz 106 Hz = 107 Hz 108 Hz 109 Hz = 1010 Hz 1011 Hz 1012 Hz 1013 Hz 1014 Hz 1015 Hz 1016 Hz 1017 Hz 1018 Hz 1019 Hz 1020 Hz 1021 Hz 1022 Hz 1Khz 1 Mhz 1Ghz Wavelength 100.000 km 10.000km 1.000km 100km 10km 1km 100m 10m 1m 10cm 1cm 1mm 100 um 10um 1um 100nm 10nm 1nm 100pm 10pm 1pm 100fm Non-ionizing Ionizing Visible light The image below shows the radio frequency fields including the different frequencies. Extremely low-frequency Radio-frequency Fields (RF) Infrared Ultraviolet X-ray Gamma Marine radio Aviation Contactless Wireless mouse Analog and Digital TV Smartphone WiFi 2.4 GHz WiFi 5 GHz Satellite TV payment digital radio 10 kHz 5 MHz 50 MHz 400 MHz 1,66 GHz 10 GHz 100 GHz 800 900 1.800 2.100 2.600 MHz MHz MHz MHz MHz Frequency 700 1.400 MHz MHz 700 3.500 26 Current frequencies (2G-4G) MHz MHz GHz New frequencies (2020) 5G frequencies (3.500 MHz from 2022, 26 GHz timing unknown) Exposure limits determined by the ICNIRP The ICNIRP (International Commission on The scientists took the health effects of non-ioniz- Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection) has determined ing radiation into account when establishing these the exposure limits for non-ionizing radiation. This ICNIRP guidelines. Strong electromagnetic fields commission consists of an international group of emitted by mobile networks can cause localized independent scientists. heating in parts of the body or the skin, sometimes referred to as ‘thermal effects’. 3 KPN and Electromagnetic Fields Because mobile phones and transmitter masts The first ICNIRP guidelines were published in 1998 may not generate fields that exceed these and adopted by the European Commission in 1999 exposure limits, the thermal effects are limited to in the form of a recommendation to all European a heat increase of no more than 1 degree Celsius. Member States advocating adoption of these In scientific research involving exposure to exposure limits in each State’s national legislation. transmission signals below the exposure limits, In the Netherlands, these guidelines are specified no evidence of possible adverse health effects in a covenant between the government and the has been found. According to the ICNIRP, there is mobile providers. The ICNIRP guideline varies also no scientific evidence indicating that other depending on the spectrum band. The recom- effects (known as ‘non-thermal effects’) have mended level is between 41 V/m and 61 V/m for an adverse effect on health. the spectrum bands used by the Dutch mobile networks (from 700 MHz to 2600 MHz). 50 Hz 900 MHz 1800 MHz 2100 MHz ): ): ): 2 2 2 Country: electric field (V/m) strengt magnetic density (μT) electric field (V/m) strengt magnetic density (μT) equivalent plain power wave density (W/m electric field (V/m) strengt magnetic density (μT) equivalent plain power wave density (W/m electric field (V/m) strengt magnetic density (μT) equivalent plain power wave density (W/m 1999/519/EC 5000 100 41 0.14 4.5 58 0.20 9 61 0.20 10 [Source: Comparison of international policies on electromagnetic fields RIVM 2018] The ICNIRP recently revised its guidelines based In the Netherlands, Agentschap Telecom measures the on twenty years of scientific research. The new, field strengths and the Antennebureau issues informa- updated ICNIRP guidelines were published in tion on antennas and EMF. The information published March 2020 and are therefore completely up to by the Antennebureau (see below) indicates that the date again. The Dutch government intends ICNIRP guidelines include a generous safety margin: to incorporate these new guidelines in new the exposure limits defined by the ICNIRP are 50 times legislation in order to be able to legally lower than the point at which thermal effects occur enforce compliance. (maximum temperature increase of 1 °C). Guideline, exposures, field strength ICNIRP guideline 1°C Factor 50 ICNIRP exposure limits Recommended by the EU and applied in NL Radio broadcasting frequencies > 28 V/m 2G | 3G | 4G | 5G > 39 - 61 V/m Factor 10 Electromagnetic Field Strength in the Netherlands Randomly measured by Agentschap Telecom 0,5 - 3V/m [Source: Antennebureau, May 11, 2020] Furthermore, the results of the EMF measurements limits. These measurement results are available to carried out by Agentschap Telecom show that the the public and shown on a map of the Netherlands. actual radiation levels achieved by Dutch mobile KPN is also well below the ICNIRP guideline operators are 10 times smaller than these exposure at all times. 4 KPN and Electromagnetic Fields Why is EMF important for KPN? The introduction of new technologies such as 5G The Dutch government intends to incorporate has led to concerns among Dutch citizens. KPN is the new ICNIRP guidelines in legislation in 2020 convinced that 5G has a positive effect, because it to ensure official monitoring. At present, the 1998 provides infrastructure for innovative services that ICNIRP guidelines are referred to in the Antenna can be of great value to both businesses and all Covenant, which has been signed by all providers other users. of mobile telecommunication services in the Netherlands, the government and the VNG The rollout of new technologies has also been (the Association of Dutch Municipalities). affected by social and political resistance in the past. The rollout of UMTS for example, when KPN The Agentschap Telecom (Radiocommunications encountered local resistance. In this case, there Agency Netherlands) is the regulatory body for were also concerns about the health aspects of radio communication frequencies and performs UMTS, the third mobile network generation (3G). random checks to measure EMF levels and ensure Remarkably, the launch of LTE (4G) hardly led to that they comply with the agreements stated in any concerns about radiation and health. the Antenna Covenant, i.e. the (old) ICNIRP guidelines. To date, all field strength measure- Which institutions are involved in EMF? ments carried out by Agentschap Telecom indi- cate that KPN and the other providers of mobile The ICNIRP (International Commission on telephony fall comfortably within these limits. Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection) is an inter- Click here for more information. national group of scientists who, in 1998, deter- mined the maximum permitted electromagnetic The Antennebureau (Dutch Antenna Monitoring field strength, referred to as the exposure limits or Agency) is the government agency responsible for ICNIRP guidelines.