The discussion between the Ministry of Digital Development and Rospotrebnadzor over sanitary norms for 5G radio frequency radiation continues to unfold. Reports from Kommersant capture the ongoing tension between updating safety rules and relying on established health research as the basis for those changes.
The ministry asserts that current standards are among the tightest globally, yet notes that they no longer reflect the latest scientific understanding and technological realities. On the other side, Rospotrebnadzor challenges the ministry’s interpretation of studies on how electromagnetic radiation might affect human health, arguing that some conclusions drawn by the ministry do not align with the weight of existing evidence.
Telecom operators welcome the proposed revisions as a practical path to accelerating 5G deployment. Their view is that increasing allowable power for base stations and simplifying station placement could streamline network rollout and improve coverage as new generations of technology come online. Yet many independent experts warn that these changes, even if implemented, may not be sufficient to address all public health and environmental concerns.
Kommersant reports that a discussion focused on the Strategy for the Development of Communications through 2035 took place at the Federation Council on March 19. A well‑placed source indicates that the ministry and Rospotrebnadzor could not reach a consensus on adjustments to health standards governing 5G radio frequency radiation. The government’s goal appears to be to reduce regulatory obstacles to speed up 5G deployment, while a portion of the health surveillance community remains unconvinced by the evidence presented in support of relaxing the rules.
Background context from the Moscow Department of Information Technologies (DIT) highlights a study conducted by NF Izmerova at the Research Institute of Occupational Medicine, a project commissioned in 2020. The study’s conclusions suggested that radiation levels around 20 to 25 μW/m2 could be considered safe for humans in certain conditions, while residential areas were advised to keep exposure below 10 μW, with higher permissible levels outdoors up to 40 μW. These figures are part of the broader safety discourse surrounding 5G exposure and are frequently cited in policy debates.
Under the current sanitary framework, the upper limit for radiation in the main cellular bands remains set at 10 μW. Proponents of tighter regulation argue that maintaining cautious thresholds helps minimize any potential long‑term health risks as networks evolve and traffic continues to rise.
Rospotrebnadzor maintains that the body of research into electromagnetic fields, including frequencies above 2 GHz used by 5G in Russia, indicates that the radiation levels allowed by existing standards are within safe bounds. Consequently, the agency does not see a compelling reason to revise the standards at this time, emphasizing adherence to established health protection benchmarks.
Officials have repeatedly stated that the decision about the 5G frequency range is a national matter, underscoring the role of government bodies in balancing technological advancement with public health safeguards.