Unfounded myths about the health risks posed mobile tower emissions are impacting mobile network quality in India, according to the Cellular Operators' Association of India (COAI).
The industry body's director general Rajan S. Mathews has argued that public apprehension over electromagnetic fields (EMF) emissions is one reason behind call drops in the nation, IANSreported.
Due to these fears, mobile operators have pulled down towers in some areas, leaving holes in coverage that can take a year to fill, he said.
The fears of cancer risk attached to EMF emissions from cell towers are “without any reasonable scientific basis,” Mathews added.
COAI is launching a series of videos that detail the views of independent experts from the medical and physics fields, in an attempt to dispel the radiation myths.
To meet the government's broadband targets, the number of mobile towers operating in India – currently estimated at more than 500,000 – will need to increase by 30%, Mathews said. To achieve 100% 3G and 4G coverage, the health risk myths will need to be addressed.