Written by: Tomas Persson and Christer Törnevik

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Mobile telephony has become one of the most successful and widely spread applications of radio communications. A majority of the population in many countries has a mobile phone, and the number of radio base stations is growing as operators strive to provide greater coverage and better quality of service. However, many people do not know how radio technology works and some wonder if it is safe. Their main concerns regard the possible effects on health from radio waves that mobile phones and base stations transmit in order to communicate with each other. Ericsson takes these health concerns seriously, addressing them in a number of different ways. For instance, Ericsson employs rigid product design, testing, and installation procedures to ensure that radio wave exposure levels from products and network solutions are below established safety limits. Ericsson also supports independent research to further knowledge in this important area. Finally, Ericsson describes how mobile communications work and provides information on health and safety issues.

In this article, the authors describe what is known about radio waves and health, which safety limits and standards apply to mobile communications, what research activities Ericsson is contributing to, how Ericsson ensures that its products comply with set limits, and how it addresses needs for information.

[First published in Ericsson Review no. 02, 2003]