Handsets

As the MTHR programme publishes research results, we expect a growing interest in handset SAR - a measure of the amount of radio wave energy absorbed by the body during mobile phone use.

We currently abide by a number of Government and voluntary commitments. They include publicising SAR values for phones and an agreement that we do not market our products to the under 16s.

All handsets we sell, including TETRA handsets, conform to the relevant SAR limit of 2 watts per kilogramme. Details for specific models of mobile phones are available in our UK stores and online.

www.mmfai.org | www.izmf.de | www.o2online.de | www.de.o2.com

It is often suggested that selecting a handset with a lower SAR is the best way to reduce exposure. For those who have concerns about exposure to radio frequency waves we suggest that moving the phone away from the body can be more effective, for example by using a hands-free kit, loudspeaker or texting function.

SAR information appears in the user guides of all of our products. A press critique and a BBC television report suggested that we were not offering customers enough information about SARs. We responded to this by aiming to include SAR values for each handset in our UK sales booklet and by providing new customer advice material to our store employees.

We have also helped the industry to formulate a policy on ways to minimise the risk of Repetitive Strain Injury from the hand movements in text messaging.