Data were retrieved from RFNSA on 1 Oct 2020 and updated in 2023 for some sites. Only 5G towers are shown. Most of which were commissioned in 2018 or before. Certified levels are not physically measured but are calculated theoretically according to the tower equipment. In actual conditions, power fluctuates dramatically depending on terrain and tower design. Typically, it is maximum at a 50-100 metres radius of the tower, not necessarily near the tower. Although coverage maps are available from different ISPs
This tower location map helps estimate 5G availability. Currently, 5G speeds reach up to 900 Mbps, while 4G reaches up to 400 Mbps within a 100 - 200 meter radius of the tower.
The most powerful towers on Sydney Northern Beaches
- Optus tower at 176-178 Mona Vale Rd Ingleside level is 22% out of the limit measured at 80 metres. Vast coverage area and complex terrain justify the increase.
- 13 Dympna St Cromer NSW 2099. The power level is 17.6% out of 100% of the public exposure limit measured 41 metres from the tower.
- 29-35 Gibbes Street, Chatswood NSW. The power level is 25% and proposed 36% out of the public exposure limit measured at 67 metres from the tower.
- Tower at Lane Cove Road near Riverside Dr Macquarie Park NSW. The power level is 16.6% out of the limit measured at 25 metres from the tower as per the latest EMF readings in 2017
- Overseas Passenger Terminal Circular Quay West, The Rocks, give 16% at 123 metres away. As per report in June 2020, proposed changes are up to 25%. The antenna emits a few times less power within 50 metres. Update 2022: proposed EME level reduced to 8% !
Note that EMF is measured at different distances. One tower is 40 metres; the other is 170 metres away. But because power reduces by the distance, reported levels can be deceptive. The signal reduction also depends on antenna configuration, terrain, and architecture. So there is no accurate formula to calculate your location's exact 5G power levels.
5G tower update
05/2023 Proposed tower at 32A Wollombi Rd Newport with 13.8%. Maximum reached at 50-100m.
The mobile tower atop The Steyne Hotel, 75 The Corso, currently operates at 3.15% of the allowable limit within 31 meters. A proposal is in place to upgrade it to 5G and increase its power to 6.84% within 26 meters, as per the April 2023 EME report.
May 2021 tower on Avalon Beach RSL proposed to increase 4G EMR levels 1.3 times from 9.6% and add 5G bands. Currently, the site has Optus 5G and Vodafone 4G. You will have also Telstra 5G after the upgrade. The maximum level should be up to a 13%, a distance of up to a 100 metres.
Oct 2021 New EME report on the tower at 22 Central Ave, Manly. Existing levels measured are 3.33% at 100-200m from the location and proposed reduced to 3.15% out of 100% of the public exposure limit.
What is 5G ?
It is a combination of wireless communication protocols similar to the previous 3G and 4G generations. It results from the gradual improvement of existing technology, allowing us to use the available range more efficiently. 5G uses higher frequencies than 4G or a combination of frequency ranges. A typical 5G frequency in Australia is 2.3 GHz and 3.5 GHz.
2.4 GHz and 5GHz WiFi are different technologies used by your home WiFi routers, and 2.45GHz is emitted by a microwave oven. However, 5G may exceed the power of your WiFi and oven emissions. 5G will eventually use frequencies up to 50 GHz.
Higher spectrum density may have unwanted health consequences. The legal maximum power level of 5G frequencies in Australia is ten times higher (!) than in any other country. Fortunately, 5G towers are certified individually for up to 1-20% of the legal limit, which brings them to the international.
What is the safe distance from the 5G towers?
If we take the maximum allowed power in Australia as a reference, all 5G towers are safe. But if we take international limits, it depends on the tower's intensity, frequency and personal sensitivity. Take, an example, tower 2093009 at Balgowlah Heights. The most substantial level, according to certification, is at 50-100 metres at houses facing the park and the preschool at Bareena dr. People there are exposed to 10 times more electromagnetic power than international safety levels like China. Most Balgowlah residents, though, are beyond 500 metres radius exposed to the EMF less than 0.1% of the allowed maximum = 10000/1000 = 10 mW/m2. Comparing that to a WiFi, 10mW/m2 is in the power range of regular WiFi within acceptable world limits, as if you had a second WiFi router.
Note You will not see 5G on the WiFi network list on your computer, because it is on a different frequency and communication protocol. But you may estimate strength with a 5G capable mobile phone.
Summarising health concerns, the 'safe as a WiFi' radius from any mobile tower is 500 metres. It may be less than 100 metres if the tower's maximum power is less than 1% of the maximum allowed in Australia.
EMF Limits
Maximum allowed electromagnetic field strength around mobile towers, typically reached within 100 metres.
| mW/m2 | |
|---|---|
| ICNIRP(WHO) | 10000 |
| ARPANSA(AU) | 10000 |
| IEEE5(US) | 10000 |
| China | 400 |
| Russia | 100 |
WiFi EMF Limits
A standard home WiFi router outputs around 100 mW of power, translating to approximately 8 mW/m2 when measured within 1 meter of the router. This is at least 10 times, or 3 dB, lower than emissions from a mobile phone. Our EMR meter has a sensitivity of 0.001 mW/m2 and a limit of 20 mW/m2.
What can you do to protect yourself from 5G and 4G?
First, verify that your health is affected by mobile networks. Ideally, that should be done with a double-blind study. At least try to sleep and work in a room with less mobile and WiFi coverage and note the difference.
Turn off data on mobile phones
Disabling mobile data reduces your phone's radiofrequency (RF) emissions. Wi-Fi emits lower RF levels compared to mobile networks. Enabling Wi-Fi Calling allows you to make and receive calls over a Wi-Fi, reducing mobile networks EMR. However, to access emails or social media without Wi-Fi, you'll need to re-enable mobile data.
Replace wireless routers
Replace ISP routers with third parties or simply remove SIM card. Most Optus and Telstra NBN routers have built-in 4G SIM cards for backup and troubleshooting. Hence 4G towers focus power on your location at all times. Switching off 4G in the modem would reduce wireless power. Note that it would make troubleshooting internet dropouts more difficult. Although with a good setup, the internet should be consistent. From my experience, third-party routers work faster and more reliably even without 4G backup.
Move
Sleep and work in a room with less mobile coverage.
Paint out
Use EMF-absorbing paint on doors and walls. EMF or RF Shielding Paint is formulated with conductive materials such as carbon, copper, or nickel to reduce electromagnetic radiation. Copper is one of the most effective materials used in RF shields. The effectiveness of these paints is measured in decibels (dB), with 30 dB equating to a 1000-times reduction and 40 dB resulting in a 10,000-times reduction in power density.
These paints are often used in various applications including healthcare facilities, scientific research labs, and residential homes that are near cell towers or power lines.
Shielding curtains
Shielding curtains, made from fabrics interwoven with metallic fibres like silver or copper, are designed to block electromagnetic radiation. Their effectiveness is similar to EMF shielding paint, with high-quality options offering up to 30-40 dB of attenuation.
WiFi installation and EMF reading
Manly Electronics specializes in WiFi installation and internet speed optimization services. We use accurate detectors and meters to measure electromagnetic radiation, providing fast wireless internet solutions while minimising potential health impacts. You can rely on a comprehensive approach prioritising digital connectivity and health consciousness.