What is TETRA?

What is TETRA?

TETRA stands for TErrestrial Trunked RAdio. TETRA is an open digital two-way radio standard that defines a particular way to encode radio signals for enhanced communications for professional users such as emergency services, public utilities and transportation organizations. TETRA combines features of two-way radios, mobile telephony, messaging and data. TETRA shares many characteristics with other mobile communications networks such as GSM, D-AMPS and IDEN.

TETRA uses Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) technology and operates in the upper 300MHz range for emergency services, as well as within the 400 and 900 MHz range for civialian use.

What research has been undertaken?

The use of radio waves has been the subject of scientific research spanning more than 50 years. In that time, a wide variety of frequencies as well as modulations have been studied to determine whether there is any impact on our health. This large and growing body of research has been constantly reviewed by numerous independent scientific expert panels, government agencies, standard-setting organizations and health authorities from around the world. All have reached the same general scientific conclusion: that there is no established evidence of any adverse health effects from exposure to radio waves within the limits applied to mobile communications systems.

Are there safety limits for exposure to radio waves?

Yes there are. It is worth remembering that the use of radio waves is a common part of our everyday lives and bring us the benefits and enjoyment of television, radio and mobile phones. From the research that has been undertaken, safety limits have been established to provide protection for all members of our society - from the young to the very old.

These standards, endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and other authorities around the world, establish exposure limits based on extensive reviews of all available scientific evidence and include substantial margins of safety to protect both users and the public. Member companies of the Mobile Manufacturers Forum test their products to assure their adherence to these rigorous safety standards.