Dept of Telecom for amending Telegraph rules for mobile phones

The Department of Telecom has suggested amendment in the Indian Telegraph Rules which will allow it to get enforcement powers to test mobile phones for radiation.
As per the norms that are already in place, the specific absorption rate (SAR) value of mobile phones is limited up to 1.6 watt per kg averaged over a mass of one gram of human tissue. Radiation from mobile handsets is measured in terms of its SAR level.
All the companies manufacturing or importing mobile phones for sale in India have to ensure that the handsets are in compliance with radiation norms.
Sources, however, said DoT cannot enforce the rules on mobile phones because they are classified as consumer goods. But if the rules are amended which may also include mobile phones within broad definition of telegraph, it will give DoT enforcement powers, they added.

The sources also said DoT has proposed that that SAR value has to be displayed on the handset like international mobile equipment identity (IMEI) display and all handsets sold in the country should support hands free operation.
The DoT may also enforce self declaration of handset makers for conformity to SAR level of mobile handsets and testing in International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation.

Bureau of India Standards is also working on safety standards for mobile handsets along with the Telecom Engineering Centre (TEC), technical arm of DoT.
However, the radiation norms for mobile handsets will not be applicable on import of devices for research and development purposes or on gifts sent by people living abroad.

Sources said for R&D purpose, the quantity should be small like one or two devices and it should be demonstrated by the importer that the devices would not be sold in the market.