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Cell phone antennas |
sprouting up in WV |

By Catherine Barr

Contributing Writer

A new era in digital technology
has caused the need to place a

series of Personal Communication
Service (PCS) antennas in and

‘around West Vancouver.

The familiar, well-used, analogue ‘cell
phone is quickly being replaced with this new

technology. It is beginning to dominate the -

world of wireless communications.

West Vancouver council is approached _

weekly by cellular companies requesting per-

mission. to place antennas at viable, and

sometimes controversial, sites.

Some sites being ‘considered «are on™

municipal land. Others are in
residential areas. There is —
then the matter of visual
impact and, more important- .
Wy, pe ible ‘safety factors.
The whole matter. has.
councillors - questioning the :
issue extensively. Council is now considering

oo op
f= from Microcell Connexions Inc. (the ‘compa
"my associated with the new FIDO network):
g. The’ company is one of four cellular.com-
: panics. licensed . by

digital,

CRTC:t0° ‘the:

Cantel and BC Tel Mobility.“
‘Lisa Lehane is the: Radiofrequency Fields
(RF) Manager for Microcell. As an accredi

-ed electrical engincer, she expertly answered

council’s: questions about ‘¢missions, . safety
levels, monitoring and installation of the :
antennas.

She explained that. the antennas
1/3, of the allowable wattage
y purposes as established der Safe

Health Canada established Safety’ Code’

by “determining the limit of the k el

of exposure that has the potential of produ
ing 2. harmful effect.”:-That: limit’ is :then

"Health Canada’ claims. to

“ towers could ‘not even be: detected’ by.
' dard. d radiation hazard meters.

ot health’ supports. this: by;

crating “The levels’ that’ people“could: be

; expoced to are significantly less than the ‘safe

level - of - microwave ~ radiation’. normally.

“detectable ‘five centimetres in front ‘of a:~
microwave oven.” , ost

ees letting pe

explained that cellular compani try. 4
the “pin cushion effect”, by. installing ‘the J
antennas in ways that blend i in ‘with the sur-
roundings. Some companics, will: th
share the antennas. :

Microcell has “alréady ° creative ly- install
antennas all over: the: Vancouver, arca-One
antenna atop the IBM: building,

in glass. Another had been concealed

cross on the top of a church steeple:
When asked if the co
trying .to. hide. the;
explained that it is riot merely a case: camou:
age... eed
She. said the company,
le know, the. antennas