Will the Minister provide an update on 5G infrastructure rollout in Wales, and a summary of evidence of possible health risks to the public?
The deployment of 5G infrastructure in Wales is being led by the Mobile Network Operators through their commercial deployments. In addition, 5G technology is being used to enhance connectivity and support innovation in public services, for example, the recent announcement by Swansea University of their Living Laboratory. The Welsh Government is also providing practical support for the UK Government’s DSIT funded 5G DRIVE project and working alongside key industry players such VMo2 and Wavemobile to deliver innovative projects in Wales, such as for the Morlais Project at South Stack on Anglesey.
The industry will need to roll-out 5G services safely and in adherence to the regulations around privacy, liberty, health and safety as set out in UK legislation. In particular, mobile infrastructure is also subject to guidelines from the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) that underpin health protection policies at UK and European levels.
The Welsh Government is advised by experts at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and Public Health Wales (PHW) on radiation matters of public health concern.
UKHSA states that public exposure to radio waves from 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G technology mobile telecommunications base stations is well within the guideline levels set by ICNIRP. These guidelines are internationally accepted and used in many countries including the UK. While the roll-out of 5G technology may possibly lead to an increase in overall exposure to radio waves, the overall exposure is expected to remain low relative to guidelines and, as such, there should be no consequences for public health. The UKSHA have produced a report on 5G technologies, radio waves and health, which is available via the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/5g-technologies-radio-waves-and-health
UKHSA is committed to monitoring the evidence applicable to this and other radio technologies, and to revising its advice, should that be necessary. UKHSA also advises PHW on radiation matters.