A much-awaited expert report on 5G has failed to come up with conclusive findings on the safety of the new communications technology, meaning the ball is now back in the court of the federal government and cantons.
Demonstrators have warned about the possible health risks of 5G technology.
Keystone
The experts failed to agree recommendations for 5G emission limits, instead presenting the government with five possible options. Their reportExternal link, submitted to the government on Thursday, recommends more information for the public and more research on the possible health risks of mobile phone technology.
Telecoms operators Salt, Sunrise and Swisscom, who were represented in the expert group, expressed satisfaction at the report, saying that “nothing prevents the roll-out of 5G from a health point of view”.
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5G tests Switzerland’s limits on cybersecurity
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As more governments mull the risks of working with foreign vendors of 5G networks, eyes are on Switzerland as one of the technology’s early adopters.
The expert group was set up in 2018 by former environment and communications minister Doris Leuthard, in the face of considerable public concern about the new technology.
It will now be up to the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETECExternal link) to decide how to proceed at federal level, and for cantons to decide whether or not to grant authorisations for new 5G installations.
Speaking to Swiss public broadcaster RTS, Geneva local government minister Antonio Hodgers expressed disappointment at the inconclusive nature of the report, saying Geneva would maintain its moratorium on 5G authorisations pending a “less technical and more political response from the federal government”. Other cantons that have introduce a moratorium are Vaud, Neuchâtel and Jura, all in western Switzerland.
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Swisscom forges ahead with 5G amid safety fears
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Telecoms operator Swisscom has gone live with its 5G fifth-generation mobile communications.
Swiss institute hosted informal talks between Russians, Ukrainians and Americans
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The Geneva Center for Security Policy (GCSP) has hosted 10 meetings between Russian and Ukrainian interlocutors since the start of the war.
Automated driving on Swiss motorways is theoretically possible from March
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It will be theoretically possible to hand over the steering wheel to technology but no such system has been submitted for official approval yet.
Heated atmosphere at Swiss rally against AfD politician Alice Weidel
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Around 250 people demonstrated "against the right" and the German AfD politician Alice Weidel on Saturday afternoon in Einsiedeln.
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The Ethos Foundation recommends that shareholders vote against all compensation-related items at the Annual General Meeting on March 7.
Top Swiss firms close to reaching gender quota in boards
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The proportion of women on the boards of directors of the fifty largest listed companies in Switzerland currently stands at 28%.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
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5G tests Switzerland’s limits on cybersecurity
This content was published on
As more governments mull the risks of working with foreign vendors of 5G networks, eyes are on Switzerland as one of the technology’s early adopters.
Opponents of 5G start campaign to force nationwide vote
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Anti-5G groups have announced their intention to launch a popular initiative to limit radiation from mobile communications technology.
5G: How a counter-movement took shape in Switzerland
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We speak with the founder of the Stop5G citizen group, which wants to put a halt to plans to introduce the technology in Switzerland.
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If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.