What about 5G now?

Mobile telephony and health

With the rollout of 5G, there has been a lot of discussion surrounding the possible health risks associated with mobile telecommunication and mobile phone use. How harmful are mobile communications really? What precautions are Swisscom taking to protect people?

Swisscom takes concerns very seriously.

The safety of society and the environment is also central to the operation of the mobile network. Swisscom addresses concerns about possible risks through research, education and precautionary tips. Swisscom complies with the applicable federal requirements at all times.

Precautionary limits

In Switzerland, particularly strict limits apply in places where people spend a lot of time. Known as installation limit values, these limits are ten times lower than recommendations of the World Health Organisation.

Go to info chart

Transparency

We ensure transparency at all times by publishing information about the electrical field strengths of our network and mobile phone output power levels.

Electrical field strength map

Dialogue

We seek dialogue with all those involved in order to jointly develop optimal solutions for all.

Dialogue model antenna sites

Initiative

We support proactive initiatives by providing info material and tips on optimal behaviour at home and or on the move.

Get the 5G Flyer

Research

Swisscom supports the independent Swiss Research Foundation for Electricity and Mobile Communication (FSM) at ETH Zurich.

Go to FSM

Prevention

As a precautionary measure, we offer headsets and speakers to reduce the impact of mobile phone use on the body.

Go to accessories

Why 5G?

It is well known that 5G represents the foundation for the industry of tomorrow, for the smart agriculture of the future and, one day, for the optimal management of traffic flows. But how do you benefit from all this? Even if you don’t use 5G at all, 5G helps to avoid data congestion on the mobile network. (length 01:04 min.)

A 5G antenna does not emit any stronger or different radiation than any other mobile technologies. It emits ‘non-ionizing radiation’. It may sound mysterious, but you’ll find plenty in any domestic kitchen. This video explains why. (length 01:18 min.)

5G currently only uses frequencies that have been in use for a long time, and will continue to use these frequencies for years to come. Including some wavelengths used to make media history. (length 01:26 min.)

More than 4,000 studies have already been conducted into mobile technology – and no risk has been proven either to humans or animals. (length 00:51 min.)

The physical infrastructure of 5G works in the same way as its predecessor technologies: from the basic principle to the frequencies used – nothing has changed. (length 00:52 min.)

Facts or opinions?

Discussion on mobile communications and environment

Is Switzerland afraid of mobile telecommunication?

1 in 10

feel affected by radiation from mobile communication masts in their homes.

Source: Swiss Federal Statistical Office(opens in new tab)

5 in 10

think that mobile communication masts are dangerous. Motorised vehicles 70% and climate change 80%.

Source: Swiss Federal Statistical Office(opens in new tab)

A quick glance at social media suggests that the majority of the Swiss population is wary of mobile communications. Is this true?

Here are some figures from the Federal Statistical Office on mobile phone usage

Investitionen in die Zukunft(opens in new tab)
ASUT fact check: 5G mobile technology(opens in new tab)

9 in 10

use a smartphone; more than half have two or more devices.

Source: Swiss Federal Statistical Office(opens in new tab)
OECD(opens in new tab)

Do you have any questions?

Jürg Studerus, mobile communication and health expert is happy to help.

Send e-mail(opens in new tab)

Frequently asked questions

You are blanketing Switzerland in electrosmog. Can you prove that it is not a hazard?

No, we can't do that. Just as it isn’t possible to prove that electrical household appliances are harmless, there is no way to conclusively and definitively prove a “non-effect”. As far as mobile communications are concerned, the established science and responsible bodies (such as the World Health Organisation or the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment) have given the all-clear regarding the immissions of mobile communications antennas.

We've been arguing for decades about whether mobile communication is dangerous or not. You say no, but you're biased. People affected by electrosmog say yes, but they could be mistaken. So who can we trust?

Here at Swisscom, we trust expert organisations that are committed to science and impartiality. In our case they are:

the Federal Office of Environment (for masts),
the Federal Office of Public Health (for mobile phones),
the ETH Research Foundation for Electricity and Mobile Communication (on both subjects)
and the World Health Organisation (also on both subjects).

Check out these sources online and you will agree that their opinions are well-founded.

I am affected by the electrosmog from your mobile masts (sleeplessness, lack of concentration, depression). What should I do?

It’s likely that mobile communications antennas are one of several sources of electromagnetic fields present in your home (and probably a weak one at that). Please have the cause of your ailment diagnosed without bias. The right specialist in this case is a doctor. If necessary, seek a second expert opinion.

Your lobby keeps repeating the same mantra that mobile electrosmog isn't dangerous. That's exactly how it was for asbestos.

This is not an accurate comparison. In the case of asbestos, it was scientifically proven that this material causes cancer and the biological mechanisms were also known. Appropriate action followed quickly thereafter. In the case of emissions from mobile masts and phones there is no such proof and thus no causal explanations of hazards.

Where there's smoke, there's fire. Studies repeatedly indicate the hazards of electrosmog from mobile communications.

No, there is neither proof nor indications of this. A few isolated studies have merely observed effects. However they would have to re-occur in similar follow-up studies to be deemed as indications. The mechanisms of this would then have to be explained and understood in depth for it to be proved. No study on mobile communication to date has been able to do this.

According to the "Mobilfunk" cancer research agency, mobile communications induce cancer. What do you say to that?

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) doesn't say this. Mobile emissions are merely listed in Category 2B. This list includes agents for which limited indications have been found of a cancer-inducing effect in animal tests, but none in humans and vice-versa. Artificial sweeteners and more than 200 other common substances are listed here, none of which have become a major issue.