TRA Announces Release of Measurements Report of Radio Signals Transmitted from Telecommunications Masts in the Kingdom of Bahrain

Seef District, Kingdom of Bahrain - Saturday 15 October 2011: The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has released its third report for 2011 of the radio signal levels transmitted from telecommunications masts in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

This initiative by TRA come in the context of the implementation of the Government's stated policy that the signal levels transmitted from such masts will always be in line with international standards and have no impact on human health and the environment.

The report revealed that the levels of radio signals measured at all sites are safe and, in fact, below the safety limits set by international guidelines that have been adopted by the Commission for the Protection of Marine Resources, Environment and Wildlife in Ministerial Order No. 4 of 2009.

Commenting on the report's release, TRA's Director of Consumer Affairs and Media Ms. Ghada Al Gassab said: "TRA has been measuring and reporting on ambient radio signal levels in the Kingdom for 2 years and it has produced 10 reports in this regard, and we are happy to see the compliance of licensed operators with international guidelines adopted in Ministerial Order No. 4 of 2009. We can also say that this report is consistent with the previous reports in its findings that radio signals emitted from telecommunications masts are significantly below international guidelines. TRA will continue its measurement and monitoring campaign to ensure licensed operators' compliance and the protection of residents' interests".

TRA's Director of Technical and Operations Mr. Mohammed Tayeb Mahmood said "TRA presents the results of measurements performed at public sites from July to September 2011. The highest total exposure level for a typical public site measured during the quarter reaches 0.12% of the maximum level permitted by Ministerial Order No. 4, as shown in the Table below."

"The equipment used to make these measurements operates automatically and continually measures the strength of radio signals every 12 seconds and then, once a day, the results are uploaded to TRA's office network for processing. TRA puts in place such equipment without the knowledge of any of the operators."

The entities responsible for granting permits and approvals for building telecommunications masts, in collaboration with each other, including TRA, are working on a set of guidelines and standards for installing new masts in accordance with the Council of Ministers' guidance.

The below graph shows an example of signal level measurement in East Riffa.

The full 2011 - Q2 report and previous reports for 2010 and 2009 can be found on the TRA website at http://www.tra.org.bh/en/radiationStandards.asp.

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About TRA
Since its establishment in 2002 the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of the Kingdom of Bahrain (TRA) has been working with government, consumers, operators and investors to develop the Kingdom of Bahrain into the region's most modern communications hub and to facilitate the growth of the market. As an exemplary Regulator for the region, TRA independently carries out its duties in a transparent and non-discriminatory manner. More information about TRA can be viewed at www.tra.org.bh