Globe debunks health misconceptions on cell towers

MANILA, Philippines — Ayala-led Globe Telecom Inc. has debunked health misconceptions on cell towers as the company reiterated its call for the need of more cell sites to address poor internet connectivity in the country.

“We are urging everyone to spread awareness that radio frequency electromagnetic radiation coming from cell sites is not cancerous. Debunking this health myth will help us hasten the construction of more cell sites in the Philippines, which in effect, will bring the country closer to first world internet connectivity,” Globe director for technology strategy and service integration Gerhard Tan said.

Tan said the Philippines badly needs to build new cell sites if it wants to overcome signal problems and have better access to internet services.

At present, Globe said around 67 million active internet users in the Philippines are sharing 17,850 cell sites, or an average of 3,753 people per cell site.

Globe said its aggressive bid to build more cell sites to expand network coverage for better internet experience of its customers, however, has faced various challenges.

Among these challengers is homeowner associations’ continued opposition to its cell site proposals due to alleged health hazards.

Contrary to what many homeowners associations believe, however, Globe said proximity to cell sites does not cause any known health risks, as reaffirmed by a local radiation authority.

The Philippine Radiology Oncology Society, according to Globe, found after two decades’ worth of research that there is no adverse health effects linked to mobile phone use or nearby cell towers, and there is also no evidence to say that cell phone use or a nearby cell tower causes cancer.

The telco said the International Agency for Research on Cancer, an agency of the World Health Organization, in 2011 placed radio frequency electromagnetic radiation coming from cell sites below the “ban” category, which is deemed safe.

It said the WHO agency classified radio frequency radiation from cell sites as “2B,” wherein peanut butter, pickled vegetables, coffee, and aloe vera are also included.

Globe is supportive of the government’s common tower initiative and has already signed common tower agreements with the tandem of ISOC Infrastructure Inc. of Megawide Construction Corp. co-founder Michael Cosiquien and Malaysia-based tower giant edotco Group Sdn. Bhd., as well as the tandem Aboitiz Infra Capital and Frontier Tower Associates Philippines.