Power of cell-phone masts to double

The UK regulator Ofcom has announced that the maximum power output of cell-phone masts can double to 3162 watts, surprisingly abandoning its earlier quadrupling proposal.

Ofcom had originally proposed quadrupling the power to 6309 watts but were evidently dissuaded by the consultation responses.

Whether it was the plea to save the bees or, as one report suggests, objections from telecom company 3UK that made them change their mind is not clear.

There are many myths surrounding the supposed effects of RF from cell-phone masts and as a result, the consultation generated an unusually large number of responses.

The Ofcom 3G power statement can be seen at
http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/
3Glicences/statement/

The Register - Ofcom gives 3G upgrade thumbs-up - with bees story
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/09/08/
ofcom_3g_power/print.html

The "Save the Bees" response
http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/consultations/
3Glicences/responses/Andrew_Goldsworthy.pdf

Letter to Nature magazine
http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/consultations/
3Glicences/responses/Andrew_Goldsworthy_attachme1.pdf

Consultation responses
http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/
3Glicences/?showResponses=true

Southgate February - 3G phone power limits
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/february2010/
3g_power_limits.htm