GSMA: Overview of Electromagnetic Compatibility Studies Program

The digital technology used by modern mobile phone services supports more users, a greater range of services and improved privacy for conversations. However, the on-off nature of digital signals may cause interference to some electronic devices. The potential for interference decreases rapidly as the distance between the mobile phone and the electronic devices increases.

GSMA has supported research on the compatibility of GSM, GPRS and 3G signals from handsets with consumer and medical electronics.

For consumer devices, the research found that the lower power of 3G handsets means that they will usually pose a lower risk of interference than GSM or GPRS for similar separation distances between handsets and common items of consumer electronics.

For medical devices, at separations greater than 1-2m the possibility of interference is substantially reduced and 3G handsets in particular were unlikely to be a significant interference threat at typical separations.

In partnership with the MMF, we are currently supporting work on compatibility with hearing aids.