Australians leading new international mobile safety standards

The latest 5G electromagnetic energy (EME) testing standards for base stations were recently agreed to at the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) meeting at Naples University in Italy. The standards were accompanied by a five-year strategic plan to deliver advanced 5G electromagnetic field assessment standards and technical reports for base stations and devices, along with new standards for the safety assessment of electric vehicles.

Development of the new international IEC mobile safety standards has been led by two of the Australian mobile telecommunications industry members, Mike Wood and Des Ward, and is endorsed by the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA).

Louise Hyland, AMTA CEO, said the latest 5G EME testing standard for base stations is another significant milestone for 5G in Australia, as the mobile telecommunications industry continues to aim to provide confidence to the public in relation to the safety of the technology.

“With the global acceleration of smart sustainable cities and rapid deployment of 5G networks, the new international mobile safety standards reflect the latest scientific and technology updates, and international best practice, ensuring members of the Australian public can remain confident in the safety of the mobile technologies deployed as they adopt them in their everyday lives,” she said.

The approval of the latest EMF assessment standards for 5G base stations means communities will enjoy more specifically detailed EME reports for the areas where they live. The current assessment methodologies are conservative, as was seen in the recent ACMA 5G base station audits, where the calculated EME levels were typically over 10 times higher than measured levels.

The new standard specifically focuses on test methods to achieve the most accurate assessment of 5G base stations and includes EME case studies from Australian 5G networks. It recommends using the ‘actual maximum’ transmission levels from real site operation rather than the ‘rated maximum’ that is generally not reached during operation.

Mike Wood, Chairman TC106, International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), sees standards development as a collaborative endeavour.

“Harnessing the collaborative power of academia, industry, governments and testing laboratories all working together is what delivers world’s best practice. It is a great honour to lead this team of international experts contributing to the ongoing safety of all communities,” he said.

Des Ward, IEC Co-Convener, echoed Wood’s sentiment.

“This new edition is the outcome of joint effort and contribution from a range of experts, including academia, industry, governments and testing laboratories, from more than 15 nationalities on all continents,” Ward said.

The 2022 edition of the IEC 62232 standard has been adopted with the highest score of 100% positive votes with the main updates including:

• increased frequency range from 100 MHz to 300 GHz to support millimetre wave
• assessment of antennas using beamforming
• assessment methods using actual transmission levels of base stations during operation
• case studies from live 5G networks illustrating transmission levels monitoring and control.
   

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