The ÖDP district association Weilheim-Schongau has taken a clear position in a press release against the massive 5G expansion in the region, which is mainly operated by Telekom. Now the communications giant reports with a reply.
District - "It is correct, we are promoting the 5G expansion in the district. We operate the largest 5G network in Germany. And we're proud of that, ”writes Telekom press spokesman Markus Jodl in his reaction to our report on criticism of the ÖDP. 5G is an urgently needed further development in mobile communications. The Corona crisis in particular shows very clearly how important a modern telecommunications infrastructure is for our country.
The statement by Agnes Edehofer on the subject of "risk prevention" is "simply wrong", said Jodl on behalf of Telekom. The Federal Office for Radiation Protection and the Federal Environment Ministry had assessed 5G technology and came to the conclusion that there was no fundamental difference between the electromagnetic fields of previous cellular networks and those of 5G transmission systems. "According to the current state of scientific knowledge, the electromagnetic fields do not pose any health risks if the limit values are adhered to, regardless of the technology used," says Jodl.
Telekom on ÖPD 5G criticism: "Mobile communications are harmless to health"
Apparently, the ÖDP district chairwoman Edenhofer has a problem accepting the legal situation when she claims that the limit values are too high. The limit values in Germany would be based on current scientific knowledge from specialist committees. “They continuously check the state of scientific knowledge. Their conclusion is: If the applicable limit values are adhered to, mobile communications are harmless to health. And this statement expressly includes the sick, pregnant women and children. "
Jodl clearly speaks out against the representation of the ÖDP in the question of the extent to which private house users can be made liable for possible damage caused by mobile communications if they allow network operators to install broadcasting stations in their homes or on their properties. "The ÖDP cites a decision by the Munich District Court", writes Jodl. What is not mentioned, however, is the fact that the same district court made the following statement: "The fear, that is, the defendant's subjective idea of suffering damage to health through the operation of the cellular antenna, is not enough to assume a defect. “Jodl also provides the appropriate file number for the judgment of July 19, 2002: 433 C 2781/02.
Telekom on ÖDP-5G criticism: "Energy consumption per transferred data volume drops"
The statements made on the subject of "insurance" are also wrong. Deutsche Telekom maintains a liability insurance program that appropriately insures the risks of the Group's business operations, said the press spokesman.
The statement that 5G increases energy consumption is also wrong. The use of cell phones contributes to power consumption. “Nobody denies that,” writes Jodl. But everyone is responsible for this. With 5G, the energy consumption per transferred data volume will even decrease. Here, too, it is evident that 5G is not a “new technology” that has to be completely re-evaluated, but rather a further development in mobile communications.
Telekom on ÖDP-5G criticism: "Old fight against mobile communications is being revived"
Agnes Edenhofer and her party would try to use the 5G expansion "to revive their old fight against mobile communications," writes Jodl. The world has changed significantly in the past 20 years. Mobile communications have become an indispensable part of people's lives - privately and professionally.
“And one more thing,” writes Jodl at the end: Two thirds of all emergency calls that are received nowadays are made via mobile communications. “Instead of always speculating about abstract dangers, we should consider the real benefits of cellular communications that can be experienced every day. Mobile telephony saves lives - every day, ”he wrote at the end of his remarks.
Telekom gives figures on mobile phone usage in the Weilheim-Schongau district
According to Deutsche Telekom, 155,000 calls are made every day in the district via the Deutsche Telekom network. However, press spokesman Markus Jodl was unable to say exactly how many of them are already being operated via the newly expanded 5G network. It is also unclear how many 5G-capable devices are already in use in the district - it shouldn't be too many, as only around 500,000 devices have been sold nationwide. But that will change quickly if more than three devices are on the market, said Jodl. The need is there: in the Weilheim-Schongau district, around five terabytes of data per day are transmitted via the Telekom mobile network.
