Frequently Asked
Questions

Wireless networks transmit voice and data using radiofrequency energy. RF is a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum (which is comprised of waves of electric and magnetic energy moving together through space) in the “radio wave” range.

Radio frequency transmissions are generated by and used in many modern applications, including light bulbs, baby monitors, healthcare devices, home and industrial appliances, radios, satellites, TVs, radios and cell phones.

The FCC relies on research and recommendations from leading public and private experts to develop its RF exposure limits. Specifically, the FCC’s RF exposure limits are based on recommendations from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP), the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE).

In December 2019, after 6+ years of public input and review, the FCC reaffirmed its RF exposure standards, finding that evidence “does not demonstrate that the science underpinning the current RF exposure limits is outdated or insufficient to protect human safety.”

In addition to FCC regulation, respected independent national and global organizations — including the American Cancer Society, the World Health Organization, and the National Cancer Institute— agree that there are no known adverse health effects from cell sites that comply with FCC rules. Supported by scientific consensus, every single one of these expert institutions has adopted positions that substantiate the FCC’s conclusion: wireless communications facilities meeting current FCC RF exposure standards have no harmful effect on human health.

And, as recently as February 2020, the FDA’s Center for Devices & Radiological Health completed a review of over 10 years’ worth of RF exposure data, finding “the available epidemiological and cancer incidence data continues to support the [FDA’s] determination that there are no quantifiable adverse health effects in humans caused by exposures at or under the current cell phone exposure limits.”    

In a 2019 letter, CTIA said, “the consensus among health experts is that the weight of scientific evidence shows no known health risk to humans due to the RF energy emitted by antennas and cellphones.”

Learn more about CTIA and its members here.

That is not true. The FCC RF exposure limits apply to all spectrum up to 100 GHz. In the foreseeable future, AT&T small cell facilities will operate at frequencies below 40 GHz and RF exposure to the general public at those facilities is as low as 200 times below the FCC limits.

Wireless carriers must follow FCC RF exposure limits. The FCC, based on input from respected science, engineering and health organizations, has concluded that all antennas that meet its RF exposure limits have no harmful effect. AT&T’s wireless facilities — including small cell deployments — are designed and operated to comply with these FCC exposure limits.

RF is emitted from devices all around us — from light bulbs and televisions, to stereos and baby monitors. Small cell antennas, like radios, Wi-Fi hotspots, wireless routers and the like, emit low levels of RF.

Small cell facilities are different than traditional cell towers. They operate at power levels lower than traditional cell towers. Because small cells help optimize the network, use of small cells also reduces the power and radio transmissions — including RF energy — mobile phones use to make calls and send data.

The FCC limits the amount of RF exposure that is allowed from all cell sites, including small cells. AT&T’s small cell sites will create general public exposure as low as 200 times below the FCC limits.

No. RF exposure guidelines are exclusively within the FCC’s authority. A Federal statute preempts cities and states from enacting their own regulations that conflict with the FCC’s, science-based RF exposure requirements.  In its December 2019 Order, the FCC reaffirmed this preemption, stating “state-level warning regimes risk contributing to an erroneous public perception or otherwise disrupt the federal regime.”