Link to the report: https://bit.ly/3HkQ4vh

Report chaired and presented by: James C Lech

Committee members 2022: page 43-44 of the report

Timestamps:

0:00 Legislative Updates (continued); NASA Human Research Program

0:24 Cell towers; Legal Accountability; Guideline versus a Standard

2:25 Promotion of Equality Act; Telecommunications Act

3:21 When the data is available: 3D images; how is the signal hitting a building; localized hotspots; impact on potential person in area

5:31 “no signal” claims

5:43 Municipalities are required to check the information (Eric van Rongen; Dr Emilie van Deventer)

8:48 Equality Court

10:33 Concluding: committee members (South African and international)

11:45 Parliament; moving forward step by step; working together on solutions

14:00 Dr Pierre van der Merwe

18:40 Professor Anna Coutsoudis

22:02 Question discussion: Auditory Effect; EU Directive

Part 5: https://youtu.be/RwAk6GNjcDs

The post Video: South African National WHO EMF Report 2022 – Debriefing Webinar Part 4 appeared first on EMFSA.

Neil Zolot / medford@wickedlocal.com

Published April 5th, 2021

City officials are imposing some conditions on Verizon on installations of 5G telecommunications equipment on utility poles around the city, but will be required to approve the vast majority of the 44 applications, most of which are in Medford Square, South Medford and the Hillside area.

After hours of public testimony on the matter during a video-conference meeting Wednesday, March 31, the Ad Hoc Small Cell Committee decided to hold off on dealing with each application until April 8.

“Federal law is very strong; it prohibits municipalities, when acting as a regulatory authority, from effectively prohibiting wireless telecommunications,” Robin Stein of legal consultant KP Law told the board. “You can’t deny based on health considerations. Federal law is explicit that you can’t consider health and environmental concerns. You can impose a condition so long as that is not going to effectively prohibit their ability to install the facility and provide wireless service.”

Her advice confirmed statements made by Verizon legal representative Michael Giaimo of Robinson and Cole that the applications were “not inconsistent with federal law” and “municipalities may not decide based on health concerns.”

Some of the conditions will probably be compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, setbacks, prohibition of detectable noise, keeping the equipment in good order, prohibiting double poling and holding Verizon financially responsible for costs in preparing poles for installations and costs related to lighting.

Small Cell Committee Chairman and City Engineer Tim McGovern pressed for an annual maintenance schedule, to which Giaimo responded, “I don’t think we’re going to want to do that.”

He also mentioned an internal malfunction detection system. Small Cell Committee member and Director of Community Development & Energy and Environment Alicia Hunt conceded, “We’ll just have to trust it works.”

The idea of shrouding the installation was brought up. Giaimo said Verizon would ask for a waiver on that because shrouds negatively affect the system.

Read more at: https://www.wickedlocal.com/story/medford-transcript/2021/04/05/medford-officials-residents-opposed-5-g-despite-concerns-over-health/7066907002/

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TUCSON (KVOA) – Looking at the small cell pole, it looks a lot like a light pole, but if you look a little closer, it is not. It is actually a wireless pole to provide faster speed internet and better cell reception.

It sounds great right? Not exactly great news if you are a resident with one in your front yard.

“I do not think it adds to my property value. I asked them if there were other options besides near my front door and they said no based on the grid they set up,” said Tucson resident Josh Franklin.

Franklin did not have a say in the new cell pole outside his house. In fact, he found out about it when they were digging in his yard two months ago. He contacted the City of Tucson. They do not have a say in the installation either.

According to state legislation, the city’s role is only processing permits for these small cell wireless poles.

“We review the permits as they come in, make sure they are in compliance with the requirements of the permit and then we issue the permit,” City of Tucson Department of Transportation & Mobility Deputy Director Sam Credio said.

Verizon and AT&T install these poles.

“We have no say on where the poles actually go. That design is done by Verizon and AT&T,” said Credio.

Watch the video and read the full article at:

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https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/afriforum-submits-commentary-against-proposed-5g-policy-2020-09-01

1ST SEPTEMBER 2020

BY: NATASHA ODENDAAL
CREAMER MEDIA SENIOR DEPUTY EDITOR

The civil rights organisation AfriForum has raised its concerns that the Draft Policy and Policy Direction on Rapid Deployment of Electronic Communication Networks and Facilities, or fifth-generation (5G) policy, will violate property rights and pose specific safety risks to landowners.

In a written response to the draft, submitted to the Department of Communication and Digital Technologies on September 1, the organisation said it was not against technological advancement, however, it needs to progress in a responsible and constitutional manner without violating people’s fundamental rights.

Extract:

AfriForum therefore contends that the proposed policy, which allows entry and installation without proper compensation, is arbitrary and unconstitutional.

Read the full article at:

https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/afriforum-submits-commentary-against-proposed-5g-policy-2020-09-01

Added note by EMFSA:

In the link below readers can give their support to Afriforum

https://www.afriforum.co.za/5g-regulasies/.

The post AfriForum submits commentary against proposed 5G policy appeared first on EMFSA.

We appreciate you taking the time to read our newsletter.

The EMFSA Team

The post EMFSA August 2020 Newsletter appeared first on EMFSA.

Source: The North Coast Courier https://northcoastcourier.co.za/156656/landowners-will-not-have-right-to-refuse-5g-masts/?fbclid=IwAR1gILIGMRXpp7Xa_BTbYuh8OQ-khbmHVrijP5j8UnARfu8VNTYi_zwY5iM

The government is citing legal precedent as the basis for its proposed legislation on 5G technology, which if passed will allow network companies to erect masts on privately-owned land even if the landowner does not want it.

Following the July 22 gazetting of additions to the Electronic Communications Act, many communities are believed to have objected strongly to its key proposal, that will give electronic communications network service licensees the right to enter upon and use public and private land for their electronic communications networks and facilities.

This includes 5G wireless technology, which many believe is untested and potentially harmful.

Asked if landowners will have the right to refuse erection of communications equipment on their land, spokesperson for the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies, Mish Molakeng cited a Constitutional Court judgement in the matter of City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality and Link Africa (Pty) Ltd CCT 184/14, where the court found that network licensees may select the premises and access to them for the purposes of constructing their electronic communications network or facilities.

The closing date for objections is August 20 and may be emailed to rapid@dtps.gov.za.  

Read more at: https://northcoastcourier.co.za/156656/landowners-will-not-have-right-to-refuse-5g-masts/?fbclid=IwAR1gILIGMRXpp7Xa_BTbYuh8OQ-khbmHVrijP5j8UnARfu8VNTYi_zwY5iM

Added note by EMFSA:

Our objections are in the link below:

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August 6, 2020

The City of Gig Harbor, WA recently joined 19 other cities and organizations in a lawsuit against an FCC Declaratory Ruling and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking concerning wireless infrastructure.

The Tacoma News Tribune reported the city sent a letter to the FCC on June 1, opposing the NRPM due to social distancing guidelines that prevented city staff from meeting at City Hall to review the order. The rule changes impose new requirements on local governments to immediately review and update their current ordinances, policies, and applications systems involving wireless towers. 

The City of Gig Harbor expressed particular concern that the new ruling will override the city’s authority to enforce wireless facility aesthetic standards, including small cells in public rights-of-way.

“These regulations included adoption of aesthetic and concealment standards for 5G equipment,” said Community Development Director Katrina Knutson. “We believe these regulations should be adhered to in order to prevent negative impacts to our visual landscape.

Drafted to expedite the deployment of 5G, the draft ruling also includes more definitive shot clock guidelines and allows new antenna installations to be allowed above existing antennas, provided they are separated by 20 vertical feet. 

Knutson told the Tacoma News Tribune the city is not trying to stop the development of new technology, but wants local authority over its deployment in their community. The City’s letter to the FCC said, “If the Commission truly wishes to have an open and inclusive process, the City of Gig Harbor asks that, at minimum, the FCC delay action on this item until the pandemic subsides.”

Read more at https://insidetowers.com/cell-tower-news-poor-timing-of-the-fccs-notice-of-proposed-rulemaking-incites-lawsuit/

The post Timing of the FCC’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Incites Lawsuit appeared first on EMFSA.

AUTHOR Thabiso Goba, Journalist/Photographer

July 30, 2020

The draft proposal, which was gazetted by Stella Ndabeni-Abarahams, Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, is part of the government’s expansion into the 5G network.

Excerpt – for the full article, please see the link above.

Heather Roos, chairperson of Umbilo Community Policing Forum, said the policy would represent an infringement on people’s rights.

“This is taking away people’s rights to privacy on their own property . This is so unfair. What about health risks as this has been a huge issue in the past with cell towers etc. It seems that as citizens in South Africa, we do not have any rights anymore,” she said.

Glenwood resident, Christo Bergh, also raised health and property right concerns over the possible law.

“The fact that they want to use my property without compensation, no. The eyesore alone of these towers puts me off. The jury is still out there on the health implications of 5G,” he said.

Mandy Wilson, a Glenwood resident called the proposal ‘shocking’ and said it must be stopped from being passed into law.

“Your property, which is the single biggest investment you will ever make will drop rapidly in price.”

“In fact, I would go as far as to say it would make it a very difficult property to sell should you opt to move and then it could happen to you all over again under this new legislation. I most certainly would not buy a property with this in my yard,” she said.

Cheryl Johnson, from Save Our Berea, urged residents to participate in the decision making process and make their voices heard.

“So often residents ignore this process but then object to issues that affect them negatively when it is too late and almost impossible to remedy,” she said.

The post Durban residents reject 5G towers on their property appeared first on EMFSA.

Author Penny Fourie, Journalist

July 31, 2020

The new policy does away with the red tape and allows mobile network operators to install telecommunications stations – cellphone masts – at locations of their choice without prior approval from local authorities.

Ballito attorney Andy Horton warned that the proposed policy by implication would erode the rights of property owners.

“Under the proposed policy the extra burden will fall on the property owner should access be disputed.”

“An appeals tribunal has been proposed, however under 2.14 of the policy which says disputes may be resolved by the Complaints and Compliance Committee or an adjudicator appointed by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa.

“How independent this authority will be is not clear,” said Horton.

The new policy also supersedes local authorities and strips control from municipalities.

“The revised rules will give wireless companies the right to erect 5G cell towers on an accelerated schedule without having to go through the current planning approval in place – allowing them to bypass municipal bylaws and policy that makes provision for a public consultation process.”

Ballito resident Mark Whitehead said the process appears not to be following the standard parliamentary oversight process and was poorly thought through.

“The current proposed legislation favours the network provider, and the framework is open to abuse,” he said.

The proposed legislation is also being disputed by the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA) environmental rights group.

Co-ordinator Desmond D’Sa said:

“The policy undermines the constitutional rights of property owners.”

“Opposition parties and the public need to stand together to oppose this policy which will not only effect our property values but will pose health risks.”

Opposition party IFP have called on the government “to exercise caution” in the roll-out of 5G while the DA have come out in support of the policy.

The public have been given 30 days from the date of publication of the gazette to object, meaning that the closing date is August 20.

Comments can be submitted either in writing or by email to the acting director-general, department of communications and digital technologies (attention Mr A Wiltz) Private Bag X860, Pretoria, 0001, or rapid@dtps.gov.za.

To read the complete article please see: https://northcoastcourier.co.za/156284/proposed-5g-policy-would-erode-the-rights-of-property-owners-says-lawyer/

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1 st of August 2020

•Tens of thousands are opposing a new policy that will allow mobile networks to build infrastructure, like 5G towers.

•They are channelling their discontent through a website, Dear South Africa.

•Cellphone companies, however, are optimistic about the policy.

Tens of thousands of South Africans have written complaints to the government over a new policy that would let mobile networks build cellphone infrastructure, like 5G towers, on private land, which they say could devalue their property.

Since Communications Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams gazetted the policy last week, dissent has poured in through the website Dear South Africa, which collects online submissions to challenge or co-form policies before they become law.

“There are concerns about radiation, about the resale value of properties and about this being used as an excuse to expropriate land without compensation,” the group’s founder, Rob Hutchinson, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation over the phone.

Read more at: https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/south-africans-push-back-against-5g-towers-in-their-backyards-20200731

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