Cell towers in schools shut down, 35 lakh customers affected

• Cell towers in schools shut down, 
• 35 lakh customers affected

•  JAIPUR: Ensuring compliance of the Rajasthan High Court order of August 22 the telecom operators shut down their towers situated on school premises in the entire state from 9 pm on Monday, the deadline set by the court.

"The shutting down of 199 towers would affect 35 lakh customers across the state. Among the towers which have been shut almost 100 are in state capital itself. In the state there are 40 cities which have single towers and will face complete coverage blackout" Sudipto Chowdhury, representative of cellular operator association of India (COAI).

"This is expected to create large gaps in network coverage in the entire state and quality of the services leading to inconveniences of consumers" he added.

The Rajasthan High Court in its order passed asked the state government to remove mobile phone towers installed on all school buildings and hospitals in the state. It has also set a deadline of 10 days for the state government to formulate bylaws for governing the mobile phone towers. The Supreme Court upheld the high court orders dismissing the special leave petition filled by COAI on September 7.

The order comes in response to the Rajasthan Department of Education letter raising concerns over radio magnetic frequency emissions from cell towers. "We are just complying the courts orders" said the official of COAI.

However, the coverage will only be affected in the areas where towers are situated on the schools and hospital buildings. Rest all the towers will function as usual in the cities. To resume the flawless services the COAI is now working on the alternative arrangements. However officials of COAI assert that it will take atleast 90 days to provide alternate solution.

Operators said that department of telecommunication has mandated revised Electro magnetic field emission norms for cell towers in India commencing September 1 this year that are substantially below the norms prevailing before this date.

They said that cellular service providers across the country are ensuring compliance with these revised norms. The emissions from the mobile towers in India are amongst the lowest in the world.

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-09-11/jaipur/33762313_1_mobile-phone-towers-cell-towers-coai