A senior MP has lashed out at colleagues trying to delay the adoption of 5G telecom networks in Bahrain, describing their concerns as “baseless”.

It comes after an urgent proposal to postpone rollout of the technology was presented to parliament, amid fears that it could cause cancer.

Five MPs are spearheading efforts to halt the country’s 5G projects, arguing detailed studies on possible health risks should be completed first.

Both VIVA and Batelco have invested in 5G network upgrades, with Bahrain set to become one of the first countries in the world to implement the technology as early as this month.

Parliament’s human rights committee chairman, MP Dr Abdulla Al Thawadi, yesterday accused those campaigning against 5G of “trying to scare the public”.

“The 5G technology will use spectrum in the existing LTE frequency,” explained Dr Al Thawadi, who is an expert in telecommunication networks and data security.

“That’s more than safe. MPs trying to scare the public over its introduction should be asked to prove otherwise.

“Why cause panic unnecessarily?

“Other countries including Kuwait, which will introduce it at the same time as Bahrain, wouldn’t have gone ahead without completing all required research, investigations and tests.”

He was backed by parliament’s financial and economic affairs committee vice-chairman, MP Ahmed Al Amer, who said previous concerns about telecom radiation were unfounded.

“This same issue about new telecom technologies and their effects on people’s health have been raised before, when 3G and 4G were introduced,” he said.

“When people use it, they forget about such concerns.

“Can anyone say after a decade of 3G that they have suffered from cancer because of telecom emissions?

“Or has anyone died because they were saturated with radiation?

“More assurances are necessary, but that’s it. There is no need to worry.”

However, parliament public utilities and environment affairs committee chairman, MP Abdulrazzak Al Hattab, is among the five MPs seeking a 5G delay.

His committee oversees such issues in parliament and he claimed more research was needed into possible health risks.

“People’s health and the environment cannot be left to a ‘maybe’,” he argued.

“There have to be substantial studies that state the technology is safe.

“We shouldn’t just jump on the bandwagon without taking the consequences into account.

“The technology could be delayed in Bahrain until Kuwait assesses its implementation.

“What is the use of being one of the first countries to introduce 5G when there are public concerns about cancer-causing emissions?”

The proposal to delay 5G rollout calls on the Transportation and Telecommunications Ministry and the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) to submit a health study to parliament.

However, MPs are currently on a summer recess and are not due to return to the chamber until October.

Among those backing the delay is MP Mamdooh Al Saleh, vice-chairman of parliament’s services committee which oversees health issues.

“We are not against telecom development and today Bahrain is a leader in that,” he said.

“But when there are concerns that it could harm people, we have to stand up and say no until we get conclusive evidence it is safe.

“There is huge controversy about the matter in Europe and it is a worrying issue there, so why should we take it lightly? Just because we want to brag about being more developed than others in the region?

“Honestly, the government needs to clarify a lot of things to us before going ahead with 5G.

“There is huge public discomfort about it.”

Parliament’s public utilities and environment affairs committee has summoned Transportation and Telecommunications Minister Kamal Ahmed to a meeting next week to debate the issue. Once rolled out 5G will not only increase the speed of data networks, but also create opportunities for innovation in smart cities and the Internet of Things (IoT) – through increased communication between devices.

mohammed@gdn.com.bh

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