Newsletter February 2015

Welcome to the February 2015 edition of our online Newsletter. Please send a link to this page to as many interested persons as you wish. If any of the external webpages linked herein have been taken down, try to find another source by cutting and pasting the actual title of the article into your search bar. To assist with a fair and balanced discussion, our primary focus is upon the side of the story you may not hear from industry and their obliging government regulators. Be sure to check out all our newsletters. Taken as a whole, they form a comprehensive overview of emerging technologies, scientific findings, safety reform, and the worldwide EMR debate.

EMR Aware is a not-for-profit association based in Byron Shire on the Northcoast of NSW Australia. In addition to relaying the latest news from contacts worldwide, our group provides commentary on local issues, as well as a range of free community-oriented services. The latter include educational literature, audiovisual presentations, and a DVD containing thousands of research studies on the adverse effects of electromagnetic radiation (EMR).

"No" to Phone Tower at Ocean Shores

On 5 February Byron Shire Council voted unanimously to reject a proposal by Telstra, Australia's largest telecommunications company. The document sought approval to lodge a development application to erect a 30 metre high tower on Council-owned land. It was worded as an "agreement in principle", a tactic perhaps intended to lock Council in to accepting the project in whatever final form was to be presented.

The community successfully raised concerns regarding visual amenity, fire hazard and loss of property value. Added emphasis was placed upon documented health risks since the tower would have been within 300 metres of dozens of private homes and two schools. The latter is against the Department of Education's own guidelines which specify a minimum 500m buffer. In response to a question from Council, the Telstra spokesman was unable to assure that there were no adverse biological effects from the expected level of microwave radiation. He also stated the tower would be 4G, when it was described as 3G (CDMA850) in the proposal drafted by their agent Aurecon. The former is capable of multi-band and much higher outputs. The Telstra rep was given a copy of our DVD for future reference.

Congratulations to our nine Councillors for taking a stand against corporate expediency, and requesting Telstra to find a more remote site. It will probably cost them more. But why should private citizens be expected, through loss of value on their property, to effectively subsidise a multi-billion dollar corporation?

One week prior to the vote, a protest meeting at the Ocean Shores Public School was attended by nearly 150 parents and residents. Petitions presented to Council contained in excess of 700 signatures. In addition to expert speakers on the night, a member of our group narrated a slide show on the operating principles and impacts of phone towers.

All-in-all, this campaign was one of the best organised and resourced we have seen to date. Its success perhaps also benefited from our engagement with Council over the past two years on similar matters. Any readers who are presently opposing a phone or NBN tower in their area and would like to draw upon our experience, are invited to send an introductory email.

View and share this Powerpoint presentation on phone towers produced by our group in support of Ocean Shores residents. http://www.emraware.com/documents/Mobile Phone Towers.pptx

The following advice, which may be relevant in some cases, was obtained from the Environmental Defenders Office, "New towers may only be classified as 'low impact' development if they are attached to a building or are less than 5m in height: Telecommunications Act 1997 (Cth), Schedule 3, cl 6(5). Otherwise, they are likely to be "high impact" and require Council approval." http://www.emraware.com/documents/edo_advice_towers.pdf

Half-page ads appeared in our local paper announcing the community meeting. See the accompanying editorial article here: http://www.echo.net.au/2015/02/ocean-shores-residents-turn-tower/

If you would like your Council to take a similarly firm stance on towers, you might send them this article as a starter. http://ehtrust.org/maryland-city-votes-unanimously-alert-citizens-health-risks-cell-phonewireless-radiation-oppose-cell-towers-school-grounds/

Tower Curiousities

There is perhaps another reason why Telstra lodges exploratory DA's in advance of submitting a complete one. They can thus avoid any potential rejections of the latter, and thereby claim a low failure rate for attempted tower sitings. For example, in their publication "Responsible Business, Conducting Our Business Ethically", it states, "In 2012/13, Telstra completed 2,945 mobile infrastructure consultation projects of which 182 were new development applications (173 were approved) ..." This could lead one to believe that out of 182 towers only 9 experienced community opposition.

Here is an unsolicited testimonial from a person who lives near the existing tower in the nearby town of Mullumbimby NSW, "We have a tower within 500 metres of us here in Mullum. The effects have been quite debilitating, e.g. edema around my wife's eyes, tinnitus, clicking in my ears, insomnia and 12 kilos weight loss. The radiation level has about doubled since 2011 when the tower first went up. Since then more antenna panels have been added." A recent article in the local paper reported TV interference subsequent to a 4G upgrade. Telstra stated this is "being worked out", even though the issue is well known and predictable.

Some skeptics assert there is no likely health risk from microwave faciities because radio and TV towers have been around for over 50 years with no apparent ill effect. However, a number of epidemiological surveys indicate otherwise, as does the following research linking FM broadcast towers with melanoma. It should also be noted that up until a few years ago broadcast signals were analogue waveforms. These are less inductive than the abrupt "on-off" cycling of digital pulse modulation. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12071358

Ever wonder what is inside a typical rectangular phone tower "antenna", aka Remote Radio Head (RRH)? Lots of little directional antennas, and motors to adjust their tilt. The square boxes you often see next to them on the mast are Tower Mounted Amplifiers (TMA's). More of same are added as demand increases or new transmission bands come into service. http://s4gru.com/index.php?/topic/3760-ever-wonder-whats-inside-one-of-those-big-cellular-panel-antennas/page-2

As a supplement to the above content involving proximity to schools, we now present a few items relevant to children.

Children - Development or Deviance?

    

Children absorb a proportionately greater amount of microwaves.

Physiological Changes

Why Children Absorb More Microwave Radiation Than Adults: The Consequences. http://ac.els-cdn.com/S2213879X14000583/1-s2.0-S2213879X14000583-main.pdf?_tid=6893b4d2-9f65-11e4-898e-00000aacb361&acdnat=1421622042_49dd7ff84efaef49a0efd72af33da330

The Relationship Between Adolescents' Well-being and Their Wireless Phone Use: A Cross-sectional Study. "To safeguard young people's well-being, we suggest limiting their use of cellphones and cordless phones to less than 15 minutes daily, and employing a speaker-phone device for longer daily use." http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24148357

Teenage Brain Tumor Epidemic - What Parents Don't Know About Cellphones. The Dean of School of Public Health at the State University of New York, David Carpenter said, "Children are spending significant time on mobile phones. We may be facing a public health crisis in an epidemic of brain cancers as a result of mobile phone use." http://www.phonescausebraincancer.com/teenage-brain-tumour-epidemic-what-parents-dont-know-about-cellphones/

A recent video by Dr. Erica Mallery-Blythe, of the Physicians' Health Initiative for Radiation and Environment - Electromagnetic Radiation, Health and Children 2014. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNFdZVeXw7M&feature=youtu.be

Cell Phones Fry Young Brains. http://www.timeslive.co.za/thetimes/2014/12/11/cellphones-fry-young-brains

MobileWise's case for action to protect children details findings from more than 200 scientific studies linking children's mobile phone use with serious health problems. The report warns that children's health is being put at risk by the failure of Government and phone companies to respond to increasing levels of scientific certainty. http://www.mobilewise.org/facts/report-mobile-phone-health-risks-the-case-for-action-to-protect-children

Mobile Phone Use and Health Symptoms in Children. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25115529?dopt=Abstract

European Leaders Call for Ban of Cell Phones and Wi-Fi in Schools. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/06/02/european-leaders-call-for-ban-of-cell-phones-and-wifi-in-schools.aspx

The National Association for Children and Safety is calling for a range of science-backed safety measures to be immediately enacted. http://www.nacst.org/nacst-turn-it-off-4-kids.html

Psychological Changes

An Australian study. Mobile Telephone Use Is Associated With Changes in Cognitive Function in Young Adolescents. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/bem.20534/pdf

Association Between Mobile Phone Use and Depressed Mood in Japanese Adolescents: A Cross-sectional Study. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24347468

Mobile Phone Use, Blood Lead Levels, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Symptoms in Children: A Longitudinal Study. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23555766

Wireless devices are energetically addictive, thereby encouraging excessive use. Electronic Screen Syndrome. https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/mental-wealth/201207/electronic-screen-syndrome-unrecognized-disorder

Association Between Mobile Phone Use and Inattention in 7102 Chinese adolescents: A Population-based Cross-sectional Study. "Our study shows some associations between MP use and inattention in Chinese adolescents. Decreasing MP usage to less than 60 minutes per day may help adolescents to stay focused and centered." http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25273315

Dedicated mobile phone walking lane in China. Is this a problem posing as a solution?

France recently adopted legislation regarding protection of children from EMR. Included in it are the following provisions. http://www.takebackyourpower.net/news/2015/02/01/france-new-law-bans-wifi-in-daycares-restricts-wireless-infrastructure/

• Anyone selling a cell phone must provide, upon request, an accessory designed for children under 14 years of age that reduces exposure of the head to radio frequency radiation.
• Wireless internet is prohibited in places dedicated to the welcome, rest, and activities of children under 3 years of age.
• Wireless access for internet in elementary schools must be disabled when not in use for teaching.
  
  

Starting Young

    

What is wrong with this picture? Why no official government warnings to pregnant women?

What You Need to Know About Wireless Radiation and Your Baby. http://www.babysafeproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/BabySafe-Project-Booklet.pdf

Prenatal and Postnatal Exposure to Cell Phone Use and Behavioral Problems in Children. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18467962

Fetal and Neonatal Responses Following Maternal Exposure to Mobile Phones. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18246230

Why Autism Happens - Links to Wireless Technologies. http://www.whyautismhappens.com/

Experts and Doctors Warn: Pregnant Women and Children Should Not Be Exposed to Wireless Radiation. http://www.takebackyourpower.net/news/2014/10/23/experts-and-doctors-warn-pregnant-women-and-children-wireless/

http://fearlessparent.org/parents-should-you-nix-the-wifi/#comments

Baby Bluetooth

This new product sends data on baby to a smart phone via wireless link. One might wonder if the microwaves from the built-in Bluetooth transmitter contribute to the pacifying effect. https://www.yahoo.com/tech/this-smart-pacifier-connects-to-your-smartphone-107295902644.html

    

Minding baby ... or messing with baby's mind?

Bluetooth test for Radiation and the Research That Proves the Dangers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnTUhL_rcAI

Taiwan makes use of wireless devices illegal for children under two. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2929530/Does-toddler-play-iPad-Taiwan-makes-ILLEGAL-parents-let-children-two-use-electronic-gadgets-18s-limit-use-reasonable-lengths.html

Baby Monitors or Cellphones - Which Are Safer? http://www.kesq.com/news/baby-monitors-or-cell-phones-which-are-safer/29649044

Why cry when you can Wi-Fi. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqMtleKd5Cs

This baby monitoring product keeps its EMR away from the child's developing brain.

The iPotty

Voted "worst product of the year" for reasons which may resonate with our readers. Will baby sit there all day in the seductive embrace of microwaves? Will Baby form a peculiar relationship with a certain computer product? Who knows where the human race is heading. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/10531063/iPotty-named-worst-toy-of-the-year.html

The Last Generation of Kids That Played Outside. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nate-hanson/the-last-generation-of-ki_b_6139504.html?utm_hp_ref=technology&ir=Technology

School Daze

Welcome to the "Digital Education Revolution". Cranking out geniuses?

The State of Queensland is currently accepting tenders for "advanced" school Wi-Fi systems, with a probable increase in classroom microwaves. Maybe our authorities can at least insist that the manufacturer include an "off" switch at each access point so children and teachers are not pointlessly irradiated when no connection is needed. http://www.itnews.com.au/News/399300,qld-to-overhaul-wi-fi-in-state-schools.aspx?eid=3&edate=20150112&utm_source=20150112_PM&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=daily_newsletter

The Israeli Supreme Court's recently passed a conditional injunction against the use of Wi-Fi in schools, based upon reports that 8.5% of students were manifesting symptoms. The EU says 3-5% of the entire population are affected by this technology and having their human rights violated. http://ehsfighback.blogspot.com.au/2014/09/israeli-case-update-waiting-for-courts.html

Is there genuine cause for concern? Parents and Teachers Unions in Canada, USA, UK, and Germany Have Done Their Research and Do Not Support WI-Fi in Schools. http://parentsforasafeschool.blogspot.ca/2014/11/school-boards-are-refusing-to-listen-to.html, http://citizensforsafetechnology.org/BCCPAC-Resolution-Passed-OnOff-Switches-for-WiFi-Routers-and-Protocol-for-the-Use-of-Wireless-Devices-in-Schools,19,3111

Here is one school's progressive policy toward student and staff use of electro-technologies in the form of a handy chart. http://www.emraware.com/usps_policy.pdf

Catholic Board Trustees Want Report on Possible Health Issues With Wireless technology. http://www.insidehalton.com/news-story/5215155-catholic-board-trustees-want-report-on-possible-health-issues-with-wireless-technology/

This Year I'm Resolving to Ban Laptops From My Classroom. http://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2014/12/30/this-year-im-resolving-to-ban-laptops-from-my-classroom/

Wi-Fi Removed at Surry School. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2lV5pBWQH

Webinar prepared for the NY State Union of Teachers: Risks of Wireless Technologies and Protecting Children and Staff in Schools. http://www.nysut.org/resources/all-listing/2014/december/webinar-risks-of-wireless-technologies

Spin Meets Reality

Does information technology really boost intelligence and brain development? http://www.medicaldaily.com/digital-dementia-rise-south-korea-childhood-internet-addiction-must-be-addressed-experts-say-247100

Maybe multitasking is not all it is cracked up to be either. People are not machines. Why the Modern World is Bad for Your Brain. http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/jan/18/modern-world-bad-for-brain-daniel-j-levitin-organized-mind-information-overload

Psycho-physiological Indicators for Children Using Mobile Phones. Results of Four-year Monitoring. "We have identified the following major trends of the psycho-physiological indicators for child users of mobile communication: an increased number of phonemic perception disorders, abatement of efficiency, reduced indicators for the arbitrary and semantic memory, an increased fatigue." http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22279774

Effects of Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields on Cognitive Processes - A Pilot Study on Pulsed Field interference with Cognitive Regeneration. "We could show that the participants' cognitive performance was impaired after exposure to pulsed electromagnetic fields. With regard to this finding, we recommend that the use of cellular phones should be restricted generally and in particular in respect of physical hazard of high-risk groups, e.g. elderly, children and ill people." http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15180806

Man on Cell Phone Misses Huge Whale Right in Front of His Face. http://www.cbsnews.com/news/man-on-cell-phone-misses-huge-whale-in-front-of-his-face/

Loosing the Race

It could always get worse. How about no more children at all? Prof. Olle Johansson on WiFi - "Irreversible Sterility Within Five Generations". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BH3gJctqKk4

    

Then again, if humans continue to develop a taste for smart collars and submissiveness to technology that milks them, maybe a dictatorial implementation of the following concept will provide the solution. "The whole herd at your fingertips. Gain better herd intelligence and productivity". You herd it first here. http://www.silentherdsman.com/en/

The Precautionary Principle

"It just so happens that the frequencies and modulations of our cell phones seem to be the frequencies that humans are particularly sensitive to. If we had looked into it a little more, if we had done the real science, we could have allocated spectrums that the body can't feel. The public should know if they are taking a risk with cell phones. What we are doing is a grand world experiment without informed consent." - Dr. Alan Frey, leading microwave researcher

Saddled by private sector allegiances with a scientific cover-up of Biblical proportions, ARPANSA, our official government regulator, is attempting to have a bet both ways. Their message to an increasingly bewildered public seems to be, "EMR is totally safe, but we are not totally sure so you better exercise 'precaution', whatever you think that might be." The following quotes are from their ever-evolving "Fact Sheets". The italicised commentary is mine.

Fact Sheet 14:

"However, the technology is new and it is impossible to be completely sure there isn't some risk." Whether we like it or not, everyone now consumes EMR. Can you imagine buying a food product with this printed on its label?

"Due to lack of evidence on mobile an cordless phone use by children, ARPANSA recommends that parents encourage their children to limit their exposure." What about involuntary Wi-Fi exposure in schools? And why make this recommendation at all if the precautionary principle is already "enshrined" in the standard as ARPANSA claims?

"Some research has indicated that non-thermal effects from low-level EMR exposure may also occur. However, the existence of these effects and their implications has not been sufficiently established to allow for them in the standard." Tellingly, this admission of documented non-thermal effects appears to have been DELETED from the current version of this Fact Sheet.

Official Letter dated 20 March 2013:

"ARPANSA does not regulate policy in the education department. It is up to schools to apply the precautionary minimisation requirement in the ARPANSA standard as they see fit." So, is every school Principal supposed to be a microwave engineer, or is this just passing the buck?

Fact Sheet 2:

"The Standard incorporates a precautionary approach which requires owners of RF sources to minimise unnecessary exposure of the public to RF fields. Australian regulators and codes of practice will decide how this statement is applied." In other words, just make it up as you go along and hope no one notices.

ARPANSA takes its cue from the World Health Organisation, which takes its cue from the industry body ICNIRP; the "Tobacco Institute" of EMR. However, during a meeting in 2008 at the Royal Society in London, ICNIRP's then head, Professor Paolo Vecchia, cautioned the following about their published "exposure guidelines".

• They are not mandatory prescriptions for safety ...
• They are not the last word on the issue ...
• They are not defensive walls for industry or others ...
  
  
  

Lost in Translation

"Whether or not to invoke the Precautionary Principle is a decision exercised where scientific information is insufficient, inconclusive, or uncertain and where there are indications that the possible effects on environment, or human, animal or plant health may be potentially dangerous and inconsistent with the chosen level of protection."- Commission of the European Communities

Why the Current International Safety Standards Do Not Predict Biological Hazard. Martin L. Pall, Professor Emeritus of Biochemistry and Basic Medical Sciences, Washington State University. http://stopsmartmeters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/13-84-05-02-2014-Kate-Reese-Hurd-2-of-3-7521102474.pdf

Slide-show by Dariusz Leszczynski, PhD, DSc. Editor-in-Chief of Frontiers in Radiation and Health, Helsinki. "Cell Phone Radiation Health Risk and Precautionary Principle". https://betweenrockandhardplace.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/kauniainen-2014-updated.pdf

Advice to ARPANSA by the Radiation Health and Safety Advisory Council. http://www.arpansa.gov.au/pubs/rhsac/prec.pdf

Public comment submissions to their working group. http://www.arpansa.gov.au/pubs/rps/rps3_comm_gen.pdf

Remaking the Human Exposure Standard & Electromagnetic Radiation Labeling Notice (ACMA publication). Therein the following statement is attributed to ARPANSA. "The health implications of biological effects below limits specified in the RF Standard are not known". http://www.acma.gov.au/~/media/Technical%20Regulation%20Development/Issue%20for%20comment/IFC%2011%202014/EME%20Instruments%20%20Submission%20North%20Coast%20NBN%20Tower%20Action%20Group%20pdf.pdf

The following Senate Committee Report from 2001 features such highlights as, "Central to the question of the adequacy of our standards was whether or not they dealt with non-thermal emissions. Dr Michael Repacholi advised that the scientific studies on which our standards are set were observations made in the 1970's of behavioural change in primates exposed to heat-emitting devices." Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, Inquiry into Electromagnetic Radiation: http://www.aph.gov.au/~/media/wopapub/senate/committee/ecita_ctte/completed_inquiries/1999-02/emr/report/report.ashx

Next is a fascinating document that includes Court rulings. Does anyone detect a cynical agenda embedded in Appendix B entitled, "Value of Life"? It implies EMR safety standards are a calculated trade-off between acceptable harm to the public and sustenance of individual earning power. In other words, they promote a level of known toxicity that is high enough to ensure the rapid exploitation of technology, but not so high as to cause us to succumb en masse prior to the end of our productive years. Such an enacted motive could well be a violation of international human rights treaties. http://www.arpansa.gov.au/pubs/rps/dr_elf_ris.pdf

Don't Worry. It's All In Your Head

Many EMR skeptics now begrudgingly admit that electro-sensitivity (EHS) is real, but somehow unrelated to any electrical devices that are being profitably sold to the public. The trending explanation is that EHS is a "psychosomatic disorder", based in part upon irrational fear instilled by "alarmists". So, if you are a psychologist looking for funding, and a seedy relationship with the telecommunications sector, you can now join the debunking act ... while it lasts.

ARPANSA, our Australian regulator, touts the safety standards advocated by the World Health Organisation. Strange then that its former Director-General and Norwegian Prime Minster, Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland (photo above), had this to say in a recorded interview:

"I assume you know that I am electrically sensitive. I never place a mobile phone next to my head because in one second I would develop a bad headache. I use the phone in speaker mode."

So, Madam, why not press your colleagues at the WHO to properly address electro-sensitivity which at this moment is affecting millions of people just like you?

Meanwhile, the Indian Government seems intent upon preempting a massive future burden upon their public health system. Talk time is incredibly cheap in most Asian countries. People spend hours with a phone against their head sometimes literally tied there (see below). http://www.pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=87152

Motor rickshaw driver's solution for keeping both hands on the wheel.

Also from India, is this diligent paper on the possible biological mechanisms through which the body may be affected by microwaves. All over the world, authorities are navigating the rising tide of scientific opinion, while countries like Australia, tied to the ICNIRP mast, specialise in pumping it into the bilge. http://www.emraware.com/documents/class_12.pdf

You don't need a PhD to figure it out. Here is an authoritative student thesis from France. "Exposure of Neural Networks to GSM Mobile Phone Signals." https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-00949371/document

French regulations now state: "Any advertisement for cell phones must mention, clearly and legibly, the recommended use of an accessory device that reduces exposure of the head to radio frequency radiation. Advertisements promoting the use of cell phones without such accessories are prohibited. Violators are subject to a fine of 75,000 euros."

Voices and Witnesses About Electro Hypersensitivity - The Swedish Experience. http://www.feb.se/feb/blackonwhite-complete-book.pdf

The Influence of Mobile Phones on Sleep ... in case you were trying to escape and can't. http://arpsconference.com.au/2014/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/1450-Loughran.compressed.pdf

Finally, we would urge everyone to read this letter by Susan Foster of the Radiation Research Trust. It brilliantly sums up industry's current strategy of damage control with regard to EHS. http://www.emraware.com/susan_foster.pdf

The NBN* - A Loose Canon?

 

    

*National Broadband Network. Fixed Wireless Internet and the blurred reality of industry codes of practice.

One of our contacts has attempted to pin down the regulatory regime under which NBN Co. operates. Here is a brief summary of his findings so far.

"NBN is in our midst proposing to erect microwave towers. What controls are there on NBN's actions? Through careful wording, NBN avoids being limited by the Telecommunications Code of Practice (C564 2011), as this relates specifically to phone towers. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) website advises that NBN is voluntarily complying with the Code. This is denied by NBN.

The approvals for the sites involving microwave towers ("high impact" facilities) is totally covered by Local Council under its Development Approval (DA) process within the Planning Scheme, and perhaps also the State. The ACMA has no involvement, and does not not even want siting criteria from NBN. After a tower is in place then another telecommunications group can install up to an additional 5 metres of tower and further antennas ("low impact" facility) without any additional approval.

We must therefore be aware of what approval is sought and what approval is given. NBN has to calculate its radiation patterns and submit this with any DA. But this is only part of the story. Up to 500 rooftop antenna, linked to any single tower, can be installed to service subscribed households. Large segments of the population are thereby involuntarily exposed to microwave transmissions. This is integral to the total system being installed by NBN under its Spectrum License. We need to understand that there is limited control over NBN and ask why this is justified."

Join the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN)?

The following email was received from another long-time campaigner against NBN wireless towers.

"In the middle of last year, I found an organisation https://accan.org.au/about who were very interested in my activities and because they meet with Telstra, NBN Co and the government. I asked them to find out a few things for me. They did and their response sparked off the Commonwealth Ombudsmen investigation for the first time into the Department of Communications. I was not a member of ACCAN at the time, nor am I now (yet).

Recently identified have been the working papers of The Communications Alliance Ltd. in relation to NBN Co. They appear to be the true architects of the beast. They also fund "research" into wireless and ensure ARPANSA give their funded research glowing accolades; coincidentally ignoring or smearing independent studies. ARPANSA names The Communications Alliance on their website as contributor to on-going research studies.

Having found their deep involvement in NBN Co, possible political donors, and also one of the most powerful industry lobby group alliances in the country, we need to step it up beyond mail outs and Facebook Pages. I think we should join the ACCAN and use it's infrastructure to highlight the NBN Co. issues, and organise en masse campaigns on the injustice of consumers reportedly being coerced into migrating to NBN Co. products.

ACCAN asked Combined Pensioners & Superannuation Association of NSW to make a submission to the Communications Alliance who are preparing to REMOVE THE CONSUMER PROTECTIONS CODE to coincide with the mass migration to NBN infrastructure. Not only is it despicable to remove protections from the vulnerable members of our communities, but why does our government permit this company to maintain that Code anyway? http://www.commsalliance.com.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/46669/Combined-Pensioners-and-Superannuants-Association.pdf

Accordingly, I propose that joining the ACCAN MIGHT be a first step to influencing a powerful response to NBN Co. & the Alliance. Please watch the NCNBNTAG Facebook Page for collated response."

Here are two publications by The Communication Alliance which profess to be an industry-wide code of practice.
http://www.commsalliance.com.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/1339/ACIF-C564_2004.pdf
http://www.commsalliance.com.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/32634/C564_2011.pdf

Note section 10.3.2 from the latter publication: "The Carrier must not assert anything to the effect that the absence of scientific proof means that there is no possibility of risk arising from the operation of Mobile Phone Radiocommunications Infrastructure." Of course, to say otherwise would be false and misleading. Keep that in mind the next time an industry spokesman tries to assure you microwaves are safe."

Wi-Fi Chasing Balls

Thanks to ARUBA, the company that supplies school Wi-Fi networks throughout Australia, you can now watch sports action on the screen of your smart phone (just like at home on TV) while you actually sit in the stadium. Sounds like a clever way to sell excited fans more tickets and souvenirs, or get them to place bets. http://www.arubanetworks.com/pdf/solutions/SB_Stadium.pdf

    

Next time you feel uncomfortable at the ballgame, look under your seat. There could be a Wi-Fi transmitter there.

Telstra Hotting Up

As previously reported in this newsletter, Telstra is intent upon blanketing everyone with thousands of its own internet hotspots. These are reportedly available to its subscribers, with concessions proposed for those who allow their own router to be used for expansion of this facility. The presumed objective is to ease the load on their heavily promoted 4G data network, and appears to be aimed at infrastructure cost savings. For example, to divert bandwidth from phone towers to cabled nodes. If you go to this webpage, you can type in your postcode and find the operational hotspots are in your area. https://crowdsupport.telstra.com.au/t5/Find-your-nearest-Telstra-Retail/ct-p/tstore#wifi-hotspot-view

A map from the above website showing Telstra hotspots popping up in our own Byron Bay, NSW.

Wi-Tricity - Wireless Electrical Power

This technology relies upon beaming enough raw EMR through your living space 24/7 to remotely power standard electrical appliances like lights, laptops and TV's. obviously, the ambient field intensities required are far higher than of data modalities such as domestic Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Although the system operates well below the microwave range, one might wonder about the adequacy of current safety standards to keep abreast of such new developments. Where are the frequency-specific biological tests? http://witricity.com

 
Trade reps from MIT exemplifying sympathetic resonance, the operating principle of "Wi-Tricity".

While on the subject of electrical power, Tasmania may be priming the pump to proceed with radiofrequency Smart Metering. Check out this webpage and lodge a submission if you are concerned. http://www.stategrowth.tas.gov.au/energy/strategy

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