Mobile Communications and Health

Complying with the applicable limit values ensures the safe use of mobile communications. The limit values are based on extensive research findings. For more than 50 years, researchers in Germany and around the world have investigated the potential health effects of electromagnetic fields.

The expert bodies of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Commission on Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) establish recommendations for limit values and review them on an ongoing basis. To do so, they continually evaluate the latest research findings. Both bodies are confident that mobile communications do not pose a health concern when the applicable limit values are observed. The international and German radiation protection commissions (ICNIRP in 2020) (SSK in 2011 and 2021), as well as the German federal government and the Federal Office for Radiation Protection, have recently confirmed this.

Federal Office for Radiation Protection

Yes. The Limit value for cell phones and smartphones is 2 watts per kilogram of the user’s body weight. It is established in the 1999 EU Council Recommendation and applies in Germany as well as in all European countries.

This value must also be met when a cell phone or smartphone is transmitting at maximum power. It ensures that using mobile devices is safe for every user.

All mobile phones are designed not only to meet the established Limit values of 2 watts per kilogram, but to remain well below them.

The Limit value is based on recommendations from the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), an expert body recognized by the World Health Organization. ICNIRP continually reviews the validity of the Limit values. Its current conclusion: Mobile phone use is safe when the applicable Limit values are observed.

SAR stands for "Specific Absorption Rate." It measures the electromagnetic fields absorbed by a user's head while they are on a call using a cell phone or smartphone.

SAR is measured in watts per kilogram of body weight (watts/kg). The SAR value of a cell phone or smartphone indicates the maximum amount of electromagnetic fields a user's head absorbs while they are on a call with that device.

All manufacturers test their cell phones and smartphones to ensure they comply with the limit and list the measured maximum values as the “SAR value” in their user manuals.

You can find information about the SAR values of Telekom cell phones and smartphones at: www.telekom.de/sar-werte, in Telekom Shops, and in the manufacturers' user manuals.

The European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC) standardized the SAR measurement procedure in 2001. All manufacturers use it.

Manufacturers test their cell phones to ensure they comply with the Limit value of two watts per kilogram (2W/Kg) and list the measured maximum SAR values in their user manuals.

The measurement system consists of a plastic shell shaped like a head. It contains a special liquid in which electromagnetic fields spread in the same way as they do in head tissue. The cell phone or smartphone being tested is held against the "ear" of this model head while transmitting at maximum power. A measuring probe analyzes the specific absorption rate in the liquid to determine the maximum SAR value.

The SAR values published by Telekom correspond to the maximum values measured in accordance with the EU standard.

SAR values

You can use a phone safely when its SAR value is below the Limit value. All mobile devices sold by Telekom meet the specified limit values.

Different SAR values do not indicate a difference in safety as long as they are below the Limit value. According to ICNIRP's expert assessment, this also applies to people who are particularly sensitive.

Still, some people feel more comfortable with a lower SAR value and use it as a factor when choosing a phone or smartphone. That is why all manufacturers list SAR values in their device manuals.

You can find information about the SAR values of Telekom phones and smartphones at: www.telekom.de/sar-werte, in a Telekom Shop, and in the manufacturers' manuals.

The Limit values for mobile communications installations are based on recommendations from the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). These recommendations apply to every generation of mobile technology operating in Germany. Following this protection framework ensures the mobile network can operate safely.

In Germany, the Limit values for mobile communications are established by law in the 26th Ordinance Implementing the Federal Immission Control Act. Every mobile communications installation must therefore comply with them.

The Federal Network Agency for Electricity, Gas, Telecommunications, Postal Services and Railways checks compliance with the limit values for mobile communications.

It does so before a mobile Base station with more than 10 watts of transmission power enters service and whenever it undergoes a technical modification, based on its technical data and construction documents. If all requirements are met, the Federal Network Agency issues an operating permit—the Site certificate.

This certificate specifies the safety distance around each Base station. It is derived from the limit values and ensures that it is safe for people to remain outside the safety area for extended periods.

In addition to the Site certificate, the Federal Network Agency carries out unannounced inspections at irregular intervals to check whether mobile communications facilities still meet the conditions of their operating permits.

Mobile communications fields in publicly accessible areas and in homes are well below the limits.

Measurements conducted by the Federal Network Agency show this. These measurements record the Field strengths across the entire radio spectrum along public roads and in public spaces, and compare them with the legal limits for protecting people. The result of an immission measurement is reported as the degree to which the limit is utilized. This value provides an overview of the Field strengths from radio installations present, even without further technical knowledge. The results of the EMF measurements are available in the EMF database.

(EMF) Database of the Federal Network Agency

Yes. The effects of electromagnetic fields on people have been thoroughly researched over recent decades. Based on this extensive body of knowledge, several recognized expert panels have evaluated research on mobile communications and health and repeatedly confirmed the Limit values. The German and international radiation protection commissions (ICNIRP and SSK), the German federal government, the Federal Office for Radiation Protection, and the EU’s independent scientific advisory body (SCENIHR) have all concluded that there is no reason to question the safe use of mobile communications when Limit values are observed.

Federal Office for Radiation Protection on 5G

ICNIRP

SCENIHR

For many decades, researchers at the national and international levels have studied the possible health effects of high-frequency electromagnetic fields from mobile communications. Known effects identified through this research form the scientific basis for the Limit values that have been regulated by law since 1998 to protect the public. The Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) continuously reviews how well the Limit values protect people and conducts further research when there are indications of health-relevant effects below the Limit values.

At the European level, 70 scientific institutions conduct research within the “EMF and Health” cluster.

Federal Office for Radiation Protection: Research on mobile communications
Cluster EMF and Health

From a scientific perspective, electrohypersensitivity has not been confirmed. Based on the many studies conducted to date, the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) concludes that a causal relationship between electromagnetic fields and the symptoms experienced by electrosensitive individuals can very likely be ruled out. The World Health Organization (WHO) shares this assessment.

To make calls from anywhere on your mobile phone and be reachable wherever you are, your phone needs a strong connection to a nearby Base station.

Every mobile phone and every Base station has both a transmitter and a receiver. High-frequency electromagnetic fields (EMF) are needed to transmit information between the mobile phone and the Base station. Information is then usually passed between Base stations, and between a Base station and the landline network, via copper lines or Optical fiber cables.

Mobile communications needs a large number of Base stations to provide high-quality coverage. Each one can handle only a certain number of calls at the same time and transmit a certain volume of data. That is why each Base station serves only a limited area, known as a Radio cell. As the number of users grows and the Data rate increases, a denser mobile network—with more Base stations—is needed.

In mobile communications, Base stations and mobile devices automatically adjust their transmission power to current signal conditions. When the connection is good, transmission power decreases to a fraction of the maximum possible level. This saves battery power on your phone and reduces the strength of electromagnetic fields.

Cell phone antennas generally transmit at between 10 and 100 watts.

Building mobile network infrastructure is a complex, dynamic process that considers a range of factors. Telekom builds Base stations where demand is high, where there are still gaps in network coverage, or where service quality needs to improve.

Because each Base station can handle only a limited number of calls at once and transmit a limited volume of data, a large number of Base stations is especially needed in places where people make many mobile calls—for example, in residential areas.

As we build out the mobile network, Telekom works closely with municipalities as representatives of local residents. Planning and implementation involve the following steps:

• First, as part of its overall network plan, Telekom determines the optimal location for a new base station
• Second, in line with an agreement between mobile network operators and municipal associations, Telekom shares its plans with local authorities
• Third, if there are differing views on the selected location, both sides work together to find a suitable alternative site. For example, Telekom reviews location proposals from the municipality and gives them preference when they are suitable. In some cases, a building permit or approval from historic preservation, nature conservation, or aviation authorities is required.

Network operators inform municipalities early on, involving them in the planning process for new mobile network sites. This dialogue with municipalities fulfills the mobile network operators' voluntary commitment to the federal government.

Together with the other network operators, Telekom signed a voluntary commitment to the German federal government in 2001, as well as an agreement with the leading municipal associations.

In these documents, mobile network operators committed to a range of measures to strengthen consumer and health protection, support research, and improve collaboration with municipalities as mobile networks expand.

This has noticeably eased the discussion around mobile communications and improved cooperation among everyone involved in network expansion. Regular reviews by independent experts also demonstrate this. On the 10th anniversary in 2011, German network operators and the German federal government confirmed that the voluntary commitment would continue.

In 2023, the four mobile network operators active in Germany submitted a new voluntary commitment for the mobile communications industry to the German federal government. Learn more about the content of the voluntary commitment at the Informationszentrum Mobilfunk.

Federal Environment Ministry: Overview of expert reports on the voluntary commitment

Mobile sites provide the best service when they do not have to cover long distances. That is why they should be located where people use them. New mobile sites must fit into Telekom's existing network and take the local geographic conditions into account as fully as possible.

You can enter an address on the EMF map of the Federal Network Agency. It will then show mobile network installations nearby. Go to the EMF map of the Federal Network Agency, where you can find mobile network sites.

In addition to cell towers and rooftop sites, mobile networks also use small cellular installations (Small Cells). Small Cells complement existing mobile network base stations, but cannot replace them. Small Cells are primarily used to increase mobile network capacity in small, high-use areas, such as train stations or shopping centers. Because Small Cells have less than 10 watts of transmission power, they do not require a Site certificate. Network operators notify the Federal Network Agency about planned Small Cells.

Yes. You can use a mobile phone even if you have a pacemaker. We recommend keeping your mobile phone at least 8 inches away from your chest to reliably prevent interference.

So, if you have a pacemaker, do not carry your mobile phone in a breast pocket. This is an additional precaution only, as most pacemakers used today are resistant to interference from mobile phones.

If you have another electronic implant, such as an insulin pump, ask your doctor about the device's resistance to interference.

Electronic devices such as televisions, radios, and cell phones can affect one another and cause interference. However, most of this interference is barely noticeable and does not affect how the devices work. One example is a humming sound from a radio speaker when you make a call on a cell phone nearby.

To help prevent this, electrical and electronic devices must meet electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements. These requirements are set out in the European Union's EMC Directive and Germany's EMC Act.

Cell phone use in hospitals depends on each hospital's policies. According to current studies, a general ban on mobile phone use in hospitals is not necessary, since medical devices are not expected to be affected from a distance of about 10 feet.

However, cell phones and smartphones cannot completely rule out interference with these devices. For this reason, their use is usually prohibited or restricted, especially in hospital operating rooms and intensive care units.

In any case, anyone using a mobile device in a hospital or medical treatment room should follow the hospital's policies or instructions for use and turn off their device if necessary.

Old or obsolete cell phones and smartphones contain valuable raw materials and should not be thrown in the trash. Through the Handysammelcenter, Deutsche Telekom gives you the opportunity to send in cell phones you no longer need or start your own cell phone collection drive.

Each device is checked to see whether it can continue to be used sustainably or be recycled to preserve valuable raw materials. Learn more at www.handysammelcenter.de

Drivers may make calls when their vehicle is stationary and the engine is turned off—passengers may also do so while the vehicle is moving. In Germany, drivers are legally prohibited from doing so without hands-free equipment or "Headset-Nutzung" for road-safety reasons. Keep in mind: Any distraction to the driver increases the risk of an accident.

Limit values are also met when you make calls on a mobile phone in a car. The car's metal body provides some shielding from radio waves. As a result, the electromagnetic fields generated by a cell phone or smartphone do not increase significantly. When you make calls in a car, an external antenna can also reduce these fields.