Press Releases

GSM Europe Event Drives Future Success of European Mobile Industry

Industry, Government and Health Representatives Gain Mutual Understanding at European Parliament Seminar

Brussels, Belgium: 21 May 2003: GSM Europe, the European Interest Group of the GSM Association, last night hosted a seminar for Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) , mobile operators, vendors and health officials focusing on ‘Health and Environment in the Mobile Community’.

The event aimed to smooth the roll-out of exciting new mobile services in Europe and ensure that the World Health Organisation’s research agenda is fully supported.

Held at the European Parliament, attendees were updated about the industry’s self-regulation activities and the current status of WHO radio frequency (RF) research.

Opening the seminar, Kaisu Karvala, the Chair of GSM Europe explained the central role the mobile industry must play in educating its audiences about health and environmental issues. She also stressed how essential it was that national governments, EU-bodies and health organisations publicly entered the debate to support the industry.

Karvala commented: "We encourage the EU and member states to establish communication programs – based on sound scientific research and EU policies – to help build confidence and support for future network deployment, ensuring the continued success of the European mobile communications industry."

Alan Freeman, Chair Health and Environment Working Group, GSM Europe outlined industry self-regulation activities – specifically the successful implementation of the Network Rollout Good Practice initiative. "GSME members recognised public concern regarding perceived health risks and swiftly acted to address the issue openly, transparently and successfully," said Freeman.

"GSM Europe is now keen to see action that will remove unnecessary obstacles blocking 3G deployment - the EC’s reaffirmation of the EU Council’s recommendation on RF exposure limits and the enforcement of International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) standard electronic magnetic field (EMF) limits across the EU," Freeman concluded.

Andrew Clark, Chair MMF Infrastructure Working Group, Mobile Manufacturers Forum underlined the importance of carrying out independent research supporting the WHO’s Research Agenda. Clark also supported adoption of ICNIRP exposure guidelines and a regulatory approach balancing science, political, community and industry interests.

Representing the WHO, the body responsible for co-ordinating and facilitating global RF and EMF research, Dr. Lawrence Goldstein outlined the current status of research and proposed areas for future research to meet public health needs.

"GSM Europe’s members strongly support research based on the WHO EMF research agenda," said Karvala. "Moving forward, we would like to see even closer co-operation between the WHO and EU member states to avoid research duplication and ensure that all research priorities are in line with the WHO agenda and requirements."

Following the presentations, MEP Peter Skinner moderated an open discussion and MEP Mel Read concluded proceedings.

"Education of all stakeholders is key to the future of the European mobile industry – but even sustained education activities will never dispel fears completely," concluded Karvala. "That is why we need the support of the EU in four key areas. To reaffirm and enforce EU Council EMF limits; to ensure member state research contributes to the WHO agenda, to establish risk communication programmes based on science and to encourage member states to overcome difficulties encountered in the physical deployment of networks."

Notes for Editors:

About GSM Europe
GSM Europe is the European interest group of the GSM Association, the premier global body behind the world's leading wireless communications standard. GSM Europe represents around 143 operators in 50 countries/areas in Europe and counts around 380 million subscribers. The GSM Association is responsible for the development, deployment and evolution of the GSM standard for digital wireless communications and for the promotion of the GSM platform. For more information, visit the website at www.gsmeurope.org.

About the GSM Association:
The GSM Association (GSMA) is the leading global trade association for the wireless industry. It consists of more than 564 second and third generation wireless network operators and 137 key manufacturer and suppliers. The GSMA’s members work collaboratively to accelerate the implementation of collectively identified, commercially prioritised operator requirements in a market timely way. The Association’s members provide digital wireless services to more than 848 million customers in 196 countries of the world (end April 2003).

The GSM family of wireless communications platforms, including GSM, GPRS (General Packet Radio Services), EDGE (Enhanced Data for GSM Evolution) and W-CDMA account for approximately 72 percent of the total digital wireless market today. The GSM Association is a unique organisation, with truly global reach, offering a full range of business and technical services to its members. For more information, visit the website at www.gsmworld.com.

Contact Information:

Kiki Walravens
Communications Manager
GSM Europe
Tel: +32 15 27 59 06
Fax: +32 15 27 03 21
Email: kwalravens@gsm.org

Or

Liz Macfarlan
Communications Dept
GSM Association
Tel: +44 207 518 0533
Fax: +44 207 518 0531
Email: lmacfarlan@gsm.org