DoT's Tarang Sanchar Portal for Mobile Tower Radiation Status to Launch Soon: Report

Telecom Department's portal Tarang Sanchar that will let users check radiation compliance status of towers across the country and get a specific one tested by DoT on request and for a fee has entered the final phase and is due for official launch soon.

The portal, which has been populated with data from 12.5 lakh base transceiver stations (BTS), will enable users to view tower-specific details such as the operator, the supporting technology (2G/3G/4G) and most importantly, if it meets electro-magnetic frequency (EMF) compliance norms, according to sources.

"The site is in the last phase of testing and is set for official launch soon... By and large, we have put sufficient data on the portal for the launch. The portal is in a state of readiness," they said.

An initiative of DoT, the portal has been set up in close co-ordination with the industry.

In case a subscriber wants to get a particular BTS tested by DoT to assess its EMF compliance level, the same can be done by putting in a specific request.

"There are two possibilities... A few can be tested free, or else if the prescribed ceiling in a particular service area for testing of BTS has already been reached, the user can get the same tested by payment of a fee, most likely to be pegged at Rs. 4,000," the sources added.

The fee is predicated on the fact that the testing process is elaborate, takes a few hours and involves technical capacity and manpower.

The tower-specific data have been collated from all service providers, they said, adding that the portal also represents a "green initiative" as the entire data will now flow from operators to the Telecom Department electronically.

"As it is, any licensee is required to submit to the Term Cell an EMF self-certification for every BTS... the same is required even when there is any change with regard to any tower such as orientation or change in height etc... The portal will make the entire process online using digital signature and showcase Digital India and paperless activity," the sources added.