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International International

policy and governance; “The recommendations we make Within ITU’s Development
and security and assurance. Sector, we are currently
All three are working to as ITU are based on the levels studying sustainable and
identify where technical of electromagnetic emissions innovative power solutions,
standards are needed for that are considered safe by the particularly for rural
digital currencies, with the connectivity, focusing on
aim of helping ensure ITU organizations (such as WHO and renewable energy sources
standards are in place to others) that study the health- for rural electrification,
meet those needs. ‘lowest-cost source’
related aspects of technology.”
criteria such as Solar PV
Q: There have been a lot (photovoltaic cells), wind,
of discussions about 5G and the potential health and other sources of green energy such as hydropower,
implications of increased electromagnetic radiation. geothermal and biomass.
Why isn’t this a major concern for the ITU?
Let me state right from the outset that while much ITU’s Standardization Sector has also been very active
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scientific organizations around the issue of mobile standards for energy efficiency. For example, ITU L.1210L.1210
phones and potential impact on human health, no defines sustainable power-feeding solutions for 5G
adverse health effect has ever been causally linked to networks that take into account the new deployment
exposure to wireless technologies. scenarios and enhanced performance associated with
5G.
That said, of course ITU is always very aware of the need
to ensure all technologies are rigorously evaluated with ITU L.1380 and L.1381 focus on smart energy solutions
regards to safety. The recommendations we make as ITU for telecom sites and data centres, addressing the smart
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that are considered safe by the organizations (such as photovoltaic solar panels, wind power, fuel cells, the
WHO and others) that study the health-related aspects electrical grid, power generators and batteries. ITUITU
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of technology. L.1381 also covers data centre cooling, describing thee
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use of outside cool air and maximum use of side cooling
Within ITU’s Development Sector, we are currently systems like ICT rack cooling, row cooling methods and
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exposure to radiofrequency and electromagnetic power supply technologies and specifications in ITUITU
fields to assist national administrations – particularly L.1382 promote the upgrade of industry technologies
in developing countries – to adopt measurement towards greener solutions.
methods to assess human electromagnetic exposure and
develop appropriate national regulations. These new And in the field of radiocommunications, ITU is
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recommendations will help administrations understand currently discussing the vision for 6 -generation
and respond to public concerns related to radiating mobile. This vision already considers, in addition to
antennas. new technical characteristics and future features, aspects
such as the reduction of power consumption by related
Q: As our societies become more and more digitalized, telecommunications equipment, as well as a decrease in
our electricity consumption is on the rise, and we the carbon footprint of the sector.
face shortages in the future, yet in the interest of
limiting planetary warming we should be reducing In short, this is an area we’ve been working in, and, with
our consumption of electricity. What are the ITU’s climate change now at the very top of political agendas
reflections on this issue? around the world, it’s certain that ITU will continue
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Electricity is of course fundamental for the development to play a key role in creating the vital international
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of any digital infrastructure. As our power consumption standards that help industry and operators continue
needs increase – through new data centres, electrical to rein-in ICT-related emissions, even as digitalizationn
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vehicles and so on – we are going to need to carefully continues to accelerate worldwide. Tél : 022 731 61 77 • Rue des Alpes • 18 Genève
plan our electricity grids, and work on ways to minimize
www.avakian.ch
consumption to limit our carbon footprint.
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