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The Mobile Phone Bug

It is difficult to imagine the world of today and tomorrow without computers, TV-sets, mobile phones, and other kinds of electronic equipment, all of which work by using or emitting weak electrical and magnetic broadband fields. Mobiles, the newest of the three technologies, are already ubiquitous, and as such their influence on human health has been the subject of much study. This influence has been the subject of controversy for more than a decade, and the controversy shows no sign of abating.

What have scientists discovered?
Much of the anxiety about possible health hazards from mobile phones concerns the electromagnetic fields which build up around handsets, and multiply with each handset and new mobile phone tower. Potential health worries include cancer and nervous disorders. According to Myhailo Kuryk, Dr. of Medicine and Physics and Director of the Institute of Human Ecology, the development of technologies dealing with electromagnetic fields must be supported with corresponding scientific investigation into the biological effects of the technologies, to determine if they involve any health hazards.
Some of this kind of scientific inquiry has resulted in evidence that the frequent use of mobile phones may lead to cancer of the brain and weakening of blood vessels in the head. High frequency mobile phone emissions may also directly influence mental processes, causing short-term memory impairment. In addition, mobile phones may influence the development of blood diseases like mononucleosis.
Not all scientists are so convinced of the dangers of mobile phones, though. One group of American scientists determined that a person would need to talk on a mobile phone for 600 years nonstop before the electromagnetic field would give him or her brain cancer!
Other scientists have found that human health may be impaired by electromagnetic emissions in the frequency range of 450-1800 megahertz. This would mean that human biology is directly influenced by radio-frequency radiation. After these findings were released, the first standards for mobile phone safety were worked out. According to these international requirements, the power of mobile phone radiation is limited to a certain number of watts per kilogram, a figure which is obtained by measuring the SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) of mobile phone radiation.
The SAR is a measurement of the amount of energy absorbed by a user's brain during a conversation on a mobile phone. There are different standards for measuring SAR, which result in different SAR figures for the same phone worldwide. Sometimes the difference between readings according to different SAR standards may vary considerably. In general, the American standard is considered the benchmark.
If your phone has been approved according to the American standard, it will include an FCC code written on the phone beneath the phone battery. FCC certification is granted to phones, with a maximum SAR level of less than 1.6 watts per kilogram. However, when choosing a mobile phone, the SAR figure should not be of particular concern to phone buyers, because this parameter only provides a very vague understanding of the amount of radiation a mobile phone actually produces.
A Swedish professor from the University of Lund, Leif Sulford, recently stated that "voluntarily subjecting the brain to radiation from mobile phones is the biggest biological experiment on humans ever conducted." Sulford, together with his colleagues at the University of Lund, has spent 15 years studying the threats posed by mobile phones. He thinks that generations of contemporary teenagers are dooming themselves to premature aging by intensively using mobile phones. He has said mobile phone users can "sink in the sea of microwaves". Long-term usage of mobile phones can result in proteins leaking through defensive barriers into the brain, leading to premature aging.
In response to this scientific "sensationalism" and numerous horror stories about the health risks posed by mobile phones, in the Spring of 1999, the European Parliament announced its intention to add labels to mobile phones, analogous to the ones required on boxes of cigarettes. Great Britain-with one of the most dynamically developing mobile communications markets at the time-was greatly shocked by this announcement. The British Ministry of Health immediately commenced an investigation, which did not confirm any negative influence on brain activity caused by mobile phones. The most the investigation was able to prove was that when a person speaks on a mobile phone, certain localized parts of that person's brain become slightly warmer. A group of scientists from Bristol University under the leadership of Alan Prys noted that mobile phones users actually had a 4% faster reaction in short-term memory tests.
Another important statement made in the British investigation was that children may be more prone to the influence of mobile phone radiation, since children have fewer tissues (including bone tissues) to prevent radio frequency energy from penetrating the brain. The British government then charged an independent group of experts to research this possibility. The group was lead by Professor William Stuart. Between January 1999 and February 2000, the group studied 641 scientific articles and watched or listened to 76 TV and radio programs during the same period. 79% of the material studied purported to describe negative side-effects of mobile phone usage, only 9% said that it was either too early to reach any conclusions or that mobile phones were harmless.
In separate research conducted by the Russian National Committee for Protection Against Radiation, the committee found that electromagnetic radiation produced by mobile phones on sale in Russia exceeds health limits.
A third study, conduced by ACM-Consulting, in late February of this year determined that there were 38 million subscribers using the GSM standard at the time. In studying these subscribers' phones, the consulting group determined that the Motorola M-50F, Nokia 5210 and Nokia 3100 had the biggest standard deviation in radiation output, while a small group of Siemens models had the least standard deviation.
In September of 2004, Russian scientists intend to work out a "National Program for Ensuring the Safety of Human Beings and the Environment during the Development of Mobile Communication." The Russians intend to launch an information campaign to acquaint the government with the program and wanted to require mobile phone makers to include information on phone radiation with their products (by writing this info on packing boxes, for example).
The International Health Organization, on the other hand, describes the worries regarding mobile phones and transmission stations as misplaced. The organization believes the transmission stations are entirely harmless, and, while mobile phones may influence human health, it is not currently certain that mobile phones are hazardous. The fears that remain mostly concern potential harmful effects to isolated parts of a user's body from close proximity to a mobile phone's antenna. This is, obviously, not a concern with transmission stations. Yet even with the mobile phones, independent groups of experts have not found any proof that mobile phones cause any kinds of illnesses. The IHO did emphasize that additional research is required to ensure that the database of research is sufficient to discount all possibilities that mobile phones can negatively influence human beings.
In the current heated debate about the safety or harmfulness of mobile phones, the IHO suggested this logical precaution: organizations and countries should not encourage the sale of mobile phones to children and teenagers because their nervous systems have not fully developed, and they may, therefore, absorb more radiation. Furthermore, young people are likely to be a subject to radiation for a longer period of their life than adults today. The IHO also recommended reducing all established norms fivefold, a tightening of standards that would not significantly influence operators of mobile communication-almost all mobile phones, except outdated analog phones, are already in compliance with the proposed standards.

Are ubiquitous mobile phones putting Ukrainians at risk?

Mobile phones have spread rapidly throughout the world. The number of European users of mobile phones practically doubled last year. The average Ukrainian changes "tubes" every 6 or 8 months.
At the beginning of this year, the first model of domestically-produced mobile phone appeared in Ukraine. It was put on the market last summer. Though produced locally, the phone was entirely designed in America and Japan, only the software was designed here. The simplest model of this phone is quite cheap, and one of the models even has a camera and access to Internet. It is interesting to speculate how the domestic mobile phone compares to foreign phones in terms of radiation hazard.
If we speak of the relative health risks posed by different aspects of modern life, there are a near infinite number of factors more injurious than mobile phones. Take cigarettes: according to estimates from the World Health Organization, about 4 million deaths a year are caused by smoking, and this figure may grow to as many as 10 million before 2020. For those of you who smoke, is this figure sufficiently frightening to make you give up the habit? As it is unlikely many of you will be swayed, it is also easy to imagine that an inscription reading: "The Ministry of Health warns that mobile phones may be detrimental to your health" would meet with similar indifference. Of course, it may be that Ukrainians have nothing to fear from mobiles; after all, we are already partially accustomed to radiation.
As another precaution, scientists suggest that mobile users carry their mobile phones, if possible, in a bag of some sort, not directly on the body (on neck, waist etc.).
Even if mobile phones prove to be safe in terms of radiation, they will still pose a number of major health hazards. For example, scientists estimate that a person using a mobile phone while driving a car is four times more likely to get in an accident as a person who refrains from doing so. Even the users of hands-free systems have not eliminated all potential risk, their hands are not busy, but speaking on a mobile phone distracts their attention.
Another, less dramatic, problem involves traumas to the spine caused by lengthy conversations on mobile phones during which the user's head is bent at an awkward angle.. Doctors state that holding a mobile phone in one's hand for a long time can quickly lead to muscle problems, inflamed tendons, and slipped disks.
What person, when buying a mobile phone as a gift, really considers all the possible repercussions on the recipient's health and environment? And how much should they?

Phone Fun Facts

The SMSList.ru portal of SMS services has researched the mobile phone audience in the Russian Internet space. Data has been taken from questionnaires that all users are required to fill out when registering. SMSList.ru estimates that more than 35,000 mobile phone subscribers using various CIS mobile operators took part in the poll. The poll continues, but some estimates can be made now.
The most popular brands among participants were Siemens (26,1% of users) and Nokia (23,1%). Motorola (12,6%), Ericson (10,1%), Alcatel (7%), Samsung (5,3%), Sony (5,2%), and Panasonic (3,5%) lagged significantly behind. All other brands together accounted for less than 7%.
Of those questioned, 15,4% stated that were currently planning to change mobile phones. An additional 35,1% believed they might buy a new mobile phone in the very near future. 36,2% were totally satisfied with their "tubes". The rest were either undecided or could not answer.
In terms of monthly mobile communication expenditures: 7,7% of respondents said they spent up to 5$ a month, 30% - 6-10$, 36,2% - 11-20$, 17% - 21-40$, 4,8% - 41-70$, and 4,3% spent more than 70$.

Flowers to grow from cell phones
Scientists from the university of the British town of Warwick have invented a new way to utilize cell phones. They propose to raise flowers from them.
The main point of the innovation is the material, of which the cell phones' cases will be made. Scientists suggest that it should be made of new polymer that they have invented; the polymer can decompose when lying in the soil for several weeks. Besides, one may place seeds of a plant, say, sunflower, under small transparent window inside a cell phone. After a cell phone gets in the soil, seeds will begin growing, and will soon become a flower.
Experts say that thus the problem of how to utilize cell phones that have become unneeded will be solved. Today, of all the items of consumer electronics, cell phones are thrown out the most. Annually, over one hundred million of old cell phones are got rid of by the consumers.

Cellular operators' income falls

In October, cellular operators' income has declined by 8,2% in comparison with September - from UAH 969 472 to 889 569 million, "Ukranews" reports.
In October, the income from rendering cellular services constituted 47% of the total income from rendering communication services, State Statistics Committee reported.
In the period from January to October, the income from rendering cellular services was UAH 7 557, 87 million.
In September, in comparison with August, income of cellular operators have risen by 6,4% - from UAH 910 862 to 969 472 million.
In October, in comparison with September, cell phone subscribers have grown in number by 7% (0,746 million) and became as numerous as 11,38 million.
In 2003, in comparison with 2002, cell phone subscribers have grown in number by 77,9% - from 3,635 to 6,467 million.
There are four cellular operators in Ukraine: "UMC" (using the standards GSM-900/1800 � NMT-450i), "Kyivstar GSM" (GSM-900/1800), Golden Telecom (GSM-1800), WellCOM (GSM-900).
Income from rendering cellular services was 3 834 612 in 2003.

Kuchma devolved control over radio frequencies to State Committee For Regulating the Communications
President of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma has signed the law foreseeing the devolution of control over using the radio frequencies from State Department of Communications and Informatization attached to Ministry of Transport and Communications to State Committee For Regulating the Communications, "Ukranews" reports
Leonid Kuchma has signed the law "About Alteration of the Law of Ukraine "About Radio-Frequency Resource of Ukraine"" foreseeing that beginning with 1 January 2005 the control over using the radio-frequencies will be devolved from State Department of Communications and Informatization attached to Ministry of Transport and Communications to State Committee For Regulating the Communications.
The law comes into force in the day it is promulgated.
In the late October, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has passed the law "About Alteration of the Law of Ukraine "About Radio-frequency Resource of Ukraine". According to the law, the devolution of the control over using the radiofrequencies will take place not on 1 January 2006 but on 1 January 2005.
According to the law, central governmental body in the area of communications will exert its authorities till 1 January 2005, not 1 January 2006 as was foreseen by the law "About Making the Amendments into, and Alteration of, the Law of Ukraine "About Radio-frequency Resource of Ukraine" that the parliament had passed in the late June.
The new law will assist in making the division of power in the area of governing and regulating the radiofrequency recourse quicker, its initiators think.
In the late June, the Verkhovna Rada decided to devolve the control over using the radiofrequencies from State Department of Communications to State Committee For Regulating the Communications.
To the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Security Service, and Ministry on the Matters of Emergency Situations and Protection of the Citizens from the Consequences of Chernobyl Disaster, the law has given right to use the radiofrequencies that they need.
The law permitted the use of radiofrequencies to only those companies that use radio-electronic equipment for the commercial purposes.
In the late June, State Department of Communications resolved not to grant to cellular operators the licenses to use cellular frequencies. Only State Committee For Regulating the Communications will resume granting licenses.
Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Security Service of Ukraine, and Ministry of Emergency Situations use about 25% of radiofrequencies.

25% of Ukrainians use cellular phones
Ukrainian News reported that November 2004 witnessed a rise in number of cell phone users in Ukraine compared to that in October by 6.5%, or by 740 thousand, taking the total to 12.12 million.
Two biggest cellular operators, "UMC" and "Kievstar GSM", have shown almost equal dynamics of increase of their client base: "Kievstar" has attracted by 0,04% more clients than "UMC", but "UMC" has managed to attract more subscribers in total.
Thus, the amount of UMC subscribers, including subscribers of virtual operator "Jeans" created on the technical basis of the company, increased in November by 6,45% (380 000) to be as high as 6,27 million of people.
At that, in comparison with October, "Kievstar's" subscribers have increased by 6,49% (350000) and became as numerous as 5,47 million of people.
In November, the amount of contract subscribers of "Kievstar" has risen by 3,6% to be 684000; the amount of subscribers of prepaid services - by 6,8% to be 5,054 million of people; of this amount ACE&BASE subscribers multiplied by 4,2% to become as numerous as 4,23 million of people, and "djuice's" subscribers - by 23,8% to become as numerous as 821 000 people. A press cutting service of "Kievstar" reported that the company estimates that its client base will grow more dynamically in December due to stable increase in demand for cellular communication in Ukraine, and due to increase in seasonal demand in the eve of New Year's holidays.
However, the demand directly depends on the purchasing capacity of the citizens, and "Kievstar" hopes that capacity will not lessen due to current political situation in Ukraine.
In November, in comparison with December, the amount of clients of cellular operator "Golden Telecom" has risen by 0,7% (4100 people) and became 58 160 people.
Since October, the amount of clients of cellular operator "Ukrainian Radio Systems" ("WellCOM" network) remained unchanged - 47 000 subscribers.
In October, in comparison with September, the amount of cell phone subscribers has risen by 7% (746 000) and became as high as 11,38 million of subscribers.
In 2003, in comparison with 2002, the amount of cell phone subscribers has risen by 77,9% - from 3,635 in 2002 to 6,467 in 2003.
There are four cellular operators in Ukraine: "UMC" (using the standards GSM-900/1800 � NMT-450i), "Kievstar GSM" (GSM-900/1800), Golden Telecom (GSM-1800), WellCOM (GSM-900).

UN gives total users of cell phones
According to a recently release report of the International Telecommunications Union, number of cell phone owners by 2004 reached up to 1.5 billion persons in the world, accounting almost one-fourth of the world population. Cell phone users today amount to almost 1.85 billion people. The report also states that since the year 2000 the number of cell phone subscribers doubled. Greater increase is noted in industrialized countries, by 56%. But other countries are following suit. Till July 2004, 310 million users were registered in China, in India - 44.5 million, Russia - 60 million (data as of September 2004). Total turnover in cell phone business in 2003 was $414 billion, and that of the whole mobile communications market constituted - $1,1 trillion.

The Most "Mobile" Countries

The agency "RBK. Rating", by using the data of International Telecommunication Union (ITU), has made up the rating of how many cell phones per head are there in the countries of the world.
Taiwan has the first place, being one of the two countries where there are more cell phones than people (10645 cell phones per 10000 citizens). Luxemburg has the second place, mainly due to the small population (10134 cell phones per 10000 citizens). Hong-Kong has the last place in the first triplet (9298 cell phones per 10000 people), "CNews.RU" reports.
Places fourth and fifth belong to EU state-members - Italy (9265) and Iceland (9028). Iceland, as Luxemburg, has reached that high in the rating due to small population in comparison with other EU state-members. As to Italy, this country has got its place thanks to the fact Italians love to be in the cell phone fashion and exchange old phones for new ones, more advanced, or just more popular.
All the places from 6th to 15th belong to the Europeans. Sweden and the Czech Republic follow Iceland; the eighth place is the Finland's. In spite of the fact that the Finns and their "Nokia" corporation are those who are generally recognized as leaders in producing cell phones, Finland failed to go above the eighth place. Singapore, on the 16th place, cuts the lines of the Europeans (with 7914 cell phones per 10000 people). Then, up to the place twenty-first, all the places belong to the European countries.
Japan, the leading country in the area of sophisticated technologies, takes only the place 26th, having 6211 cellular phones per every 10000 Japanese. USA has the twenty-ninth place with one cell phone per approximately two Americans (4881 phone per 10000 people). Sultanate Brunei with the capital having long name Bandar-Seri-Begawan follows USA - there are 2 cell phones per 5 citizens in the sultanate (4006 cell phones per 10000 people).
The most densely populated country - China - has acquired the 39th place with 1609 cell phones per 10000 people. A second country with population over milliard of people - India - failed to appear in the list.
In the end of the rating there are Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar -- there cellular communication has very small scale - there are respectively 552, 234, 166, 100 and even 3 cell phones per 10000 citizens.
It's a curious fact that the countries with less than one cell phone per 10000 citizens are not in the list.
Also, the makers of the rating had no access to the statistics of Russia and other CIS's countries. According to the different estimates, there are over 35 million of currently used cell phones in Russia; adjusted to the rating the figure is 2448 cell phones per 10000 people. The people from "RBK. Rating" believe that according to the figure Russia has the 39th place, which is right after Mexico.
It should be noted that only the officially delivered cell phones were taken into account when the rating was made. Illegally delivered goods were not considered, for there are no exact statistics on them.

The technology allowing scenting smells by using I-net has been developed

Japanese scientists have developed technology enabling transmitting smells through I-net, Itar-tass reports. Telecommunication Corporation NTT has invented a device that, when connected to computer, takes data from I-net and with the help of special program automatically creates scents.
Outwardly the device is a closed bowl with diameter of 30 centimeters; inside of it there are 32 fragrant components including, for instance, odors of orange and rose. The components may be blended, due to which, as the scientists claim, the number of possible scents is practically infinite.
Today, "the source of scents" is exhibited for the public in one of Tokyo's central shops selling electronic equipment. Salespeople offer the visitors to connect to the company's server and cast a horoscope with a special scent for everyone.
NTT's people hope new technology will become widespread, especially among restaurants, which with the help of the device will be able to place not only appetizing pictures of dishes on their web sites, but also the smells of the dishes, and so attract customers. It is reported that due to the variety of possibilities I-net offers, home saloon of fragrant materials can be created.