No edit summary |
|||
| (6 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | == |
+ | == Definitions == |
A '''mobile phone''' is a |
A '''mobile phone''' is a |
||
| Line 5: | Line 5: | ||
{{Quote|[[handheld]] (i.e., [[wireless]]) [[cellular telephone]]s, including newer [[personal communication device]]s, such as "[[smart phone]]s," that can deliver [[voice]], [[data]], and [[image]]s.<ref>[[Telecommunications: Exposure and Testing Requirements for Mobile Phones Should Be Reassessed]], at 1 n.1.</ref>}} |
{{Quote|[[handheld]] (i.e., [[wireless]]) [[cellular telephone]]s, including newer [[personal communication device]]s, such as "[[smart phone]]s," that can deliver [[voice]], [[data]], and [[image]]s.<ref>[[Telecommunications: Exposure and Testing Requirements for Mobile Phones Should Be Reassessed]], at 1 n.1.</ref>}} |
||
| + | '''Mobile phones''' are |
||
| − | == RF exposure == |
||
| + | {{Quote|low-powered [[radio]] [[transceiver]]s — a combination [[transmitter]] and [[receiver]] — that use [[radio wave]]s to [[communicate]] with fixed installations, called [[base station]]s or [[cell tower]]s.<ref>''Id.'' at 4.</ref>}} |
||
| − | Mobile phone use in the United States has risen dramatically over the last 20 years, and Americans increasingly rely on mobile phones as their sole or primary means of [[telephone]] [[communication]]. The rapid adoption of mobile phones has occurred amidst controversy over whether the technology poses a risk to human health. Like other [[device]]s that [[transmit]] [[radio signal]]s, mobile phones emit [[radio-frequency]] ([[RF]]) energy. At high power levels, [[RF]] energy can heat biological tissue and cause damage. Though mobile phones operate at power levels well below the level at which this thermal effect occurs, the question of whether long-term exposure to [[RF]] energy emitted from mobile phones can cause other types of adverse health effects, such as cancer, has been the subject of research and debate. |
||
| − | == |
+ | == Overview == |
| + | The United States has experienced dramatic changes in mobile phone use since nationwide [[cellular]] service became available in the mid-1980s. For example, the number of estimated mobile phone [[subscriber]]s has grown from about 3.5 million in 1989 to approximately 291 million by the end of 2009, according to the most recent data reported by [[FCC]].<ref>[[Federal Communications Commission]], Annual Report and Analysis of Competitive Market Conditions With Respect to Mobile Wireless, Including Commercial Mobile Services, Fifteenth Report (June 27, 2011).</ref> Further, the number of Americans who rely exclusively on mobile phones for voice service has increased in recent years. For example, by the end of 2009 over 50% of young adults aged 25 to 29 relied exclusively on mobile phones, according to the most recent [[FCC]] [[data]].<ref>''Id.''</ref> The way individuals use mobile phones has also changed. For instance, while average minutes of use per mobile phone subscriber per month has declined in recent years, [[mobile]] [[text messaging]] traffic has increased.<ref>''Id.''</ref> About 88% of teenage mobile phone users now send and receive [[text message]]s, which is a rise from the 51% of teenagers who [[text]]ed in 2006.<ref>A. Lenhart, ''et al,'' "Teens and Mobile Phones" (Pew Internet & American Life Project) (Apr. 20, 2010).</ref> |
||
| − | The [[Federal Communications Commission]] ([[FCC]]) and the [[Food and Drug Administration]] ([[FDA]]) share regulatory responsibilities for mobile phones. The [[FCC]], in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, regulates [[RF]] energy emitted from [[FCC]]-regulated [[transmitter]]s, including mobile phones.<ref>47 C.F.R. § 1.1307(b)(2).</ref> Toward that end, the [[FCC]] has [[implement]]ed a certification program to ensure that all mobile phones sold in the United States comply with the agency's limit on [[RF]] energy exposure. This limit was designed to protect [[user]]s from the thermal effects of acute exposure to [[RF]] energy. |
||
| − | |||
| − | The [[FDA]] is responsible for carrying out a program designed to protect public health and safety from [[electronic]] product radiation.<ref>21 U.S.C. §§360hh-360ss.</ref> The [[FDA]] does not review the safety of all radiation-emitting [[electronic]] products, such as mobile phones, before they are marketed. However, the [[FDA]] has the authority to take action, such as requiring manufacturers to replace or recall mobile phones that are shown to emit [[RF]] energy at a level that is hazardous.<ref>21 U.S.C. §360ll.</ref> To date, the FDA has not taken such action, but the agency regularly evaluates scientific studies on mobile phones and health to determine whether they raise public health questions. |
||
== References == |
== References == |
||
<references /> |
<references /> |
||
| + | |||
| + | == Source == |
||
| + | |||
| + | * [[Telecommunications: Exposure and Testing Requirements for Mobile Phones Should Be Reassessed]], at 4. |
||
| + | |||
| + | == See also == |
||
| + | |||
| + | * [[Mobile phones and RF energy exposure]]. |
||
[[Category:Definition]] |
[[Category:Definition]] |
||
[[Category:Wireless]] |
[[Category:Wireless]] |
||
Latest revision as of 04:36, 16 October 2012
Definitions[]
A mobile phone is a
| “ | handheld (i.e., wireless) cellular telephones, including newer personal communication devices, such as "smart phones," that can deliver voice, data, and images.[1] | ” |
Mobile phones are
| “ | low-powered radio transceivers — a combination transmitter and receiver — that use radio waves to communicate with fixed installations, called base stations or cell towers.[2] | ” |
Overview[]
The United States has experienced dramatic changes in mobile phone use since nationwide cellular service became available in the mid-1980s. For example, the number of estimated mobile phone subscribers has grown from about 3.5 million in 1989 to approximately 291 million by the end of 2009, according to the most recent data reported by FCC.[3] Further, the number of Americans who rely exclusively on mobile phones for voice service has increased in recent years. For example, by the end of 2009 over 50% of young adults aged 25 to 29 relied exclusively on mobile phones, according to the most recent FCC data.[4] The way individuals use mobile phones has also changed. For instance, while average minutes of use per mobile phone subscriber per month has declined in recent years, mobile text messaging traffic has increased.[5] About 88% of teenage mobile phone users now send and receive text messages, which is a rise from the 51% of teenagers who texted in 2006.[6]
References[]
- ↑ Telecommunications: Exposure and Testing Requirements for Mobile Phones Should Be Reassessed, at 1 n.1.
- ↑ Id. at 4.
- ↑ Federal Communications Commission, Annual Report and Analysis of Competitive Market Conditions With Respect to Mobile Wireless, Including Commercial Mobile Services, Fifteenth Report (June 27, 2011).
- ↑ Id.
- ↑ Id.
- ↑ A. Lenhart, et al, "Teens and Mobile Phones" (Pew Internet & American Life Project) (Apr. 20, 2010).