Goans' fear of radiowaves hampers mobile operators

Mobile phone operators in Goa are in a quandary as they are facing a unique problem.

Goans are not enamoured of mobile services companies putting up base station towers, antennas, for receiving and emitting signals""in short, their lifeline. But they need to put these towers even more now to increase their penetration. But all their plans are coming to a naught as the residents fear emission-related health hazards.

Newton Fernandes, assistant manager at Idea Cellular, said, "Nowhere in India have we faced such an issue where questions are raised about electro-magnetic radiation emitted from the towers. All emissions are so high up in the air that it cannot harm human beings. Mobile phones are established objects used everywhere in the country and abroad. If it would have caused a trouble, steps would have definitely been taken somewhere.''

"Sun also affects people with ultraviolet emission, but we cannot condemn it. So the march of technology cannot be stopped because some unfounded fear of the people. Nothing has been proved yet. One cannot stop technology which facilitates our lives,'' he added.

Idea has got around 35 towers in Goa and a customer base of 10,000. For deeper penetration in the state, there is a need to double this figure. However, no one is ready to comment on the loss of business that this unprecedented move is forcing.

Sources from AirTel said, "With new residentials colonies coming up, we need to connect people effectively. At many places these colonies are in a shadow tower area, where the linkages are not strong enough. This problem is definitely going to slow down the business and the process of getting more customers but as we believe that technology cannot be stopped under any condition, ultimately this problem will dissolve. Mobiles are a part of lifestyle and no one can ban it.''

While the service providers are confident that these health related questions will be sorted out, issues have been raised about the non-ionised electromagnetic pollution caused by these towers and at what proximity should it lay from the residential areas.