Sunrise Communications : Statement on the Expert Report of the interdisciplinary Working Group on “Mobile Communications and Radiation” The Working Group provides clarity on 5G and proposes two realistic expansion options for Swiss mobile communication networks

The Federal Council strives to capitalize on the opportunities of digitalization and defined the first 'Digital Switzerland' strategy in 2016. The Council considers high-performance mobile communication networks using the 5G standard as indispensable. On the other hand, the Council adheres to the precautionary principle of the Environmental Protection Act. Therefore, the Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) commissioned an interdisciplinary Working Group with creating a Report on the needs and risks related to the future mobile network in September 2018. The report provides the facts to make the necessary decisions on developing the Swiss 5G network in a quick, powerful, comprehensive, and internationally competitive manner.

Deep non-ionizing radiation exposure of the population

The Expert Report provides the all-clear after studying and assessing countless older and new studies: The assessment of health risks remains unchanged and is in line with that of international expert panels and the health authorities of other countries. The exposure of the population to non-ionizing radiation (NIR) has remained constant over the previous years; the radiation emitted by mobile communication base stations remains very low.

Current mobile communication networks have reached their capacity limits

The Report confirms that the existing networks have reached their capacity limits. The transmitted data volume has doubled every 12 to 18 months over the past few years. To prevent data congestion, the networks, and with them capacities, must be expanded. Under the currently valid framework conditions, the necessary expansions can however not be achieved with 5G either, as a result of insufficient locations and the NIR regulation. This is in spite of the fact that 5G transmits similar data quantities at lower energy consumption and with lower emissions, and even with adaptive antennas capable of directing the signal towards mobile devices in a targeted manner, lowering the average NIR exposure of the population.

Two realistic options for expansion for Swiss mobile communication networks

The Expert Report evaluates various framework conditions for the expansion of 5G on the basis of five options. Only the two Options no. 4 and 5, foreseeing an increase of the installation thresholds (or a similar solution), allow for the nation-wide expansion of 5G within five to ten years. With both options, the introduction of 5G is largely based on expanding the existing mobile communication systems, and their technical and operational implementation is demonstrably feasible, contrary to the other three options. This ensures a high-performance, comprehensive, as well as sustainable mobile communications infrastructure.

As concerns health protection, both Options 4 and 5 align themselves to the international guideline values for mobile communication emissions and are in line with the Swiss precautionary principle. This comprises, in addition to the adjusted installation thresholds, new measures such as exposure monitoring, additional research, as well as the establishment of an environmental medicine advice center. Both options still come with significantly lower NIR exposures than those in, for example, Germany, France, and most other EU states.

High-performance mobile communication networks are indispensable: Challenge to the Federal Council

Fears and concerns on the risks of mobile communication have not been substantiated. The mobile communication industry thus expects that cantons and municipalities will promptly process approval requests for 5G expansion. Moreover, the Federal Council is challenged to create good framework conditions and initiate the regulatory steps for the necessary expansion of mobile communication networks, in the interest of the Swiss population and economy.

For more information

Peter Grütter, Chairman of asut, T [phone]

Further documents

asut has created a clear overview of the most important aspects of 5G mobile communications technology in four documents. These can be accessed through the asut web page:

1. Overview of the most important properties and facts: Mobile Communications Technology 5G - Facts
2. Detailed fact sheet on health aspects and the state of research: Mobile Communications Technology 5G - Health
3. Fact sheet on the applications of 5G: Mobile Communications Technology 5G - Applications
4. Answers to the most frequently asked questions from the general public: Mobile Communications Technology 5G - Q&A