Strategies for reducing the global EMF exposure: Cellular operators perspective

Abstract

This paper outlines available means and possible new strategies for reducing Electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure of the population in current and emerging cellular networks. The rise of public concerns stimulated by the ubiquity of wireless devices is generally misdirected at antennas of macro base stations, whereas the largest part of human exposure generally originates from user devices. This paper explores various EMF exposure scenarios, identifies resources for EMF assessment and techniques for its reduction, and paves the way for future validation of proposed techniques. Available cellular technologies, current traffic conditions and user context, including services used, are main points to be taken into account, as will be shown using preliminary measurement results, which justify our initial assumptions and illustrate the complexity of the subject matter. An assessment of the impact on communications standards of our proposed approach is also provided.