The Knesset Interior and Environmental Affairs Committee today unanimously approved the non-ionized radiation bill by Minister of the Environment Gideon Ezra, which bans the installation of cellular antennas in residential apartments or on their balconies.
The cellular operators were prepared that the bill would apply only to apartments, but not balconies. The extension of the ban to balconies is a serious matter, because that is where most antennas are located.
The forum of cellular operators said in response, “The ban on the installation of new antennas is a serious and painful blow that placed in doubt the companies’ ability to develop their networks.” The forum added that the companies will fight today’s decision, and will probably also take legal action.
The forum added that the new regulations seriously harmed cellular infrastructure as a national infrastructure. “The regulations went into a subject that they should have stayed away from, in order words, actual planning.”
The Interior Committee also established jail terms and fines for managers of companies that fail to comply with the regulations; a mechanism for updating maximum radiation exposure rates to the public; and requiring people hired by consumers to measure radiation to disclose any ties with cellular operators, in order to avoid conflicts of interest.
Cellular consumer watchdog organization coordinator Avi Dabush said, “The regulations have not settled many issues, the most important of which is informing the public about the antenna regulation and canceling the building permit exemption for the installation of wireless access equipment.”
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on October 24, 2007
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