This initiative by TRA come in the context of the implementation of the Government’s stated policy that the signal levels transmitted from such masts will always be in line with international standards and have no impact on human health and the environment.
The report revealed that the levels of radio signals measured at all sites are safe and, in fact, below the safety limits set by international guidelines that have been adopted by the Commission for the Protection of Marine Resources, Environment and Wildlife in Ministerial Order No. 4 of 2009.
“TRA has been measuring and reporting on ambient radio signal levels in the Kingdom for 2 years and it has produced 10 reports in this regard, and we are happy to see the compliance of licensed operators with international guidelines adopted in Ministerial Order No. 4 of 2009. We can also say that this report is consistent with the previous reports in its findings that radio signals emitted from telecommunications masts are significantly below international guidelines. TRA will continue its measurement and monitoring campaign to ensure licensed operators’ compliance and the protection of residents’ interests,” Ghada Al Gassab, TRA’s Director of Consumer Affairs and Media, said.
“TRA presents the results of measurements performed at public sites from July to September 2011. The highest total exposure level for a typical public site measured during the quarter reaches 0.12% of the maximum level permitted by Ministerial Order No. 4, as shown in the Table below,” Mohammed Tayeb Mahmood, TRA’s Director of Technical and Operations, said.
“The equipment used to make these measurements operates automatically and continually measures the strength of radio signals every 12 seconds and then, once a day, the results are uploaded to TRA’s office network for processing. TRA puts in place such equipment without the knowledge of any of the operators.”
The entities responsible for granting permits and approvals for building telecommunications masts, in collaboration with each other, including TRA, are working on a set of guidelines and standards for installing new masts in accordance with the Council of Ministers’ guidance.