Federal Council only wants to release mobile radio millimeter waves when needed
Published: Wednesday, Nov 22nd 2023, 10:20
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The Federal Council does not want to release the millimetre waves for 5G mobile communications until there is a demand from industry. Another prerequisite for approval is that the necessary environmental framework conditions are in place, particularly in the area of non-ionizing radiation.
This approach is intended to take into account both the need for modern mobile radio services and the concerns of the population regarding possible effects on health and the environment, the Federal Council wrote in a report on Wednesday. This was requested by the Council of States in a postulate.
According to the Federal Council's report, there are already established procedures for involving the cantons in decisions. There is a public consultation prior to the allocation of mobile radio frequencies. The cantons can also express their views as part of this needs assessment.
Millimeter waves are electromagnetic waves with a short wavelength in a very high frequency range, as the Confederation writes. No frequencies in the millimeter wave range are currently used for mobile communications in Switzerland. However, these frequencies could be used in a later expansion stage of the 5G standard.
Parliament rejected a moratorium on millimetre waves for 5G technology at the end of 2022. It said no to three standing initiatives from the cantons of Geneva, Neuchâtel and Jura. These had called for a moratorium - until a nationwide overview of the population's exposure is available.
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