France’s spectrum agency ANFR announced the availability of a new website that publishes live data on radio frequency (RF) exposure in the vicinity of cell sites taking part in 5G pilots. The strength of the exposure, measured in volts per metre (V/m), is constantly assessed using a number of recently installed autonomous sensors. Marseille and Nantes are the first cities participating in the project, with more installations in other locations across the country expected in the coming weeks.
The sensors are placed on high points at approximately 150 metres from 5G mobile antennas being tested. Taken every two hours, the measurements assess exposure from all equipment operating between the 80 MHz and 6 GHz bands, used by mobile networks as well as by DTT, FM radio, and Wi-Fi.
The agency said that 5G traffic remains low at present in the areas monitored by the sensors, as mobile operators will only be able to launch commercial services later this year. This will enable ANFR’s analysts to understand the impact of 5G when networks start moving beyond the current testing phase.
