The Indian government has been forced to issue a clarification that the recently approved 5G trials are not linked in any way to the sharp rise in COVID-19 infections, after rumours linking the two gained mileage in certain areas.&nbsp;

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) said there is no link between 5G technology and the spread of Covid, as it urged the public not to be misguided by baseless and false messages being circulated on social media platforms.

Several misleading messages are being circulated on various social media platforms, claiming that the second wave of coronavirus has been caused by the testing of the 5G mobile towers.

“...these messages are false and not correct...the general public is hereby informed that there is no link between 5G technology and spread of COVID-19 and they are urged not to be misguided by the false information and rumours spread in this matter. The claims linking the 5G technology with the COVID-19 pandemic are false and have no scientific basis,” DoT said in a statement.

The testing of the 5G network has not yet started anywhere in India, therefore the claim that 5G trials or networks are causing coronavirus in India is “baseless”, it said.

“Mobile towers emit non-ionising Radio frequencies having very minuscule power and are incapable of causing any kind of damage to living cells including human beings."

“DoT has prescribed norms for exposure limit for the Radio Frequency Field (i.e. Base Station Emissions) which are 10 times more stringent than the safe limits prescribed by International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and recommended by WHO (World Health Organization),” it said.

Outlining the initiatives already taken, the DoT said it has a well-structured process so that operators strictly adhere to these prescribed norms.

“However, any citizen having any apprehension about any mobile tower emitting radio waves beyond the safe limit prescribed by the department, a request for EMF measurements/testing can be made on Tarang Sanchar portal at https://tarangsanchar.gov.in/emfportal,” the department said.

Earlier on May 8, the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), an industry association representing India’s private telecom services providers such as Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio, and Vodafone Idea, had put out a clarification on the same issue.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Indian government has been forced to issue a clarification that the recently approved 5G trials are not linked in any way to the sharp rise in COVID-19 infections, after rumours linking the two gained mileage in certain areas.

The Indian government has been forced to issue a clarification that the recently approved 5G trials are not linked in any way to the sharp rise in COVID-19 infections, after rumours linking the two gained mileage in certain areas. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) said there is no link between 5G technology and the spread of Covid, as it urged the public not to be misguided by baseless and false messages being circulated on social media platforms. Several misleading messages are being circulated on various social media platforms, claiming that the second wave of coronavirus has been caused by the testing of the 5G mobile towers. “...these messages are false and not correct...the general public is hereby informed that there is no link between 5G technology and spread of COVID-19 and they are urged not to be misguided by the false information and rumours spread in this matter. The claims linking the 5G technology with the COVID-19 pandemic are false and have no scientific basis,” DoT said in a statement. The testing of the 5G network has not yet started anywhere in India, therefore the claim that 5G trials or networks are causing coronavirus in India is “baseless”, it said. “Mobile towers emit non-ionising Radio frequencies having very minuscule power and are incapable of causing any kind of damage to living cells including human beings." “DoT has prescribed norms for exposure limit for the Radio Frequency Field (i.e. Base Station Emissions) which are 10 times more stringent than the safe limits prescribed by International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and recommended by WHO (World Health Organization),” it said. Outlining the initiatives already taken, the DoT said it has a well-structured process so that operators strictly adhere to these prescribed norms. “However, any citizen having any apprehension about any mobile tower emitting radio waves beyond the safe limit prescribed by the department, a request for EMF measurements/testing can be made on Tarang Sanchar portal at https://tarangsanchar.gov.in/emfportal,” the department said. Earlier on May 8, the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), an industry association representing India’s private telecom services providers such as Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio, and Vodafone Idea, had put out a clarification on the same issue. (With inputs from agencies)

No link between 5G and COVID-19 as its testing not yet started, says Indian government

Vodafone Idea Ltd said on Saturday it was assessing how much it would pay the Indian government as part of dues owed and said it proposed making a payment in the next few days.

India ordered mobile carriers on Friday to immediately pay billions of dollars in dues after the Supreme Court threatened the companies and officials with contempt proceedings for failing to implement an earlier ruling.

The move threatens the survival of Vodafone Idea, a joint venture between Britain`s Vodafone Group Plc and India`s Idea Cellular, as the unit is saddled with about $3.9 billion in overdue payments.

"The Company is currently assessing the amount that it will be able to pay to DoT (Department of Telecommunications) towards the dues calculated," Vodafone said in a statement. "The Company proposes to pay the amount so assessed in the next few days."

Vodafone did not give details of the amount it was likely to pay. A company spokesman declined to provide details on funding for the payment.

Underscoring its vulnerability, the company said its ability to continue essentially hinged on the Supreme Court granting it permission to discuss issues like timelines for payments with the government.

Analysts have increasingly called into doubt the viability of Vodafone Idea. Vodafone Group has said it has no plans to commit any more equity into India and the Indian telco has clocked losses in the last six quarters due to intense competition.

"Recent developments raise serious concerns about Vodafone Idea`s survival," Rajiv Sharma, analyst with SBI Cap Securities, said in a note on Friday.

Some analysts predict that India`s large market will likely have only two telecom players - Airtel and Reliance Jio, which is backed by Asia`s richest man, Mukesh Ambani - if the government does not intervene to provide some relief.

"We believe this makes duopoly almost certain in the absence of government intervention. Chances of government intervention are slim, but it cannot be ruled out," Pranav Kshatriya of Edelweiss said.

Bharti Airtel said on Friday it would pay 100 billion rupees to the government by Thursday, while it would pay the rest before the next Supreme Court hearing on March 17.

"We see this event as a net positive for Bharti Airtel (Bharti) as although it will have to pay 356 billion rupees towards liabilities, the decimation of (a) weak operator will significantly enhance its market share," Kshatriya said.

Vodafone Idea Ltd said on Saturday it was assessing how much it would pay the Indian government as part of dues owed and said it proposed making a payment in the next few days.

Vodafone Idea Ltd said on Saturday it was assessing how much it would pay the Indian government as part of dues owed and said it proposed making a payment in the next few days. India ordered mobile carriers on Friday to immediately pay billions of dollars in dues after the Supreme Court threatened the companies and officials with contempt proceedings for failing to implement an earlier ruling. The move threatens the survival of Vodafone Idea, a joint venture between Britain`s Vodafone Group Plc and India`s Idea Cellular, as the unit is saddled with about $3.9 billion in overdue payments. "The Company is currently assessing the amount that it will be able to pay to DoT (Department of Telecommunications) towards the dues calculated," Vodafone said in a statement. "The Company proposes to pay the amount so assessed in the next few days." Vodafone did not give details of the amount it was likely to pay. A company spokesman declined to provide details on funding for the payment. Underscoring its vulnerability, the company said its ability to continue essentially hinged on the Supreme Court granting it permission to discuss issues like timelines for payments with the government. Analysts have increasingly called into doubt the viability of Vodafone Idea. Vodafone Group has said it has no plans to commit any more equity into India and the Indian telco has clocked losses in the last six quarters due to intense competition. "Recent developments raise serious concerns about Vodafone Idea`s survival," Rajiv Sharma, analyst with SBI Cap Securities, said in a note on Friday. Some analysts predict that India`s large market will likely have only two telecom players - Airtel and Reliance Jio, which is backed by Asia`s richest man, Mukesh Ambani - if the government does not intervene to provide some relief. "We believe this makes duopoly almost certain in the absence of government intervention. Chances of government intervention are slim, but it cannot be ruled out," Pranav Kshatriya of Edelweiss said. Bharti Airtel said on Friday it would pay 100 billion rupees to the government by Thursday, while it would pay the rest before the next Supreme Court hearing on March 17. "We see this event as a net positive for Bharti Airtel (Bharti) as although it will have to pay 356 billion rupees towards liabilities, the decimation of (a) weak operator will significantly enhance its market share," Kshatriya said.

Currently assessing the amount; will make payment in next few days: Vodafone

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Friday recommended that internet services like wi-fi and mobile connectivity should be permitted on domestic and international flights in India.

India is one of the world`s fastest-growing aviation markets and also the world`s fastest growing internet services market, and such a step is likely to boost revenue for service providers as well as airlines.

The recommendations, which include providing a mechanism for the lawful interception and monitoring of wi-fi in aircraft cabins to ensure safety, were provided to the Department of Telecommunications which will draft the final policy.

Once finalised it will, for the first time, allow flyers in India to surf the internet on a plane, a service common in many foreign countries.

India&#39;s concerns over a cyber attack have delayed the policy which has been in the making for several months, local media have reported.

India is one of the world`s fastest-growing aviation markets and also the world`s fastest growing internet services market, and such a step is likely to boost revenue for service providers as well as airlines

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Friday recommended that internet services like wi-fi and mobile connectivity should be permitted on domestic and international flights in India. India is one of the world`s fastest-growing aviation markets and also the world`s fastest growing internet services market, and such a step is likely to boost revenue for service providers as well as airlines. The recommendations, which include providing a mechanism for the lawful interception and monitoring of wi-fi in aircraft cabins to ensure safety, were provided to the Department of Telecommunications which will draft the final policy. Once finalised it will, for the first time, allow flyers in India to surf the internet on a plane, a service common in many foreign countries. India's concerns over a cyber attack have delayed the policy which has been in the making for several months, local media have reported.

TRAI recommends in-flight internet connectivity