Is exposure to 4G and 5G signals from your mobile phone higher in Ghent compared to Deinze?

Microenvironmental studies aim to characterize typical radio-frequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure in various microenvironments, such as schools or business areas. They enable a personal assessment of RF-EMF exposure. With the deployment of 5G technology, mobile phone usage has become a significant factor in personal RF-EMF exposure due to the dependency on individual mobile phone usage. This study investigates typical transmit power levels in Ghent and Deinze, Belgium, within the broader context of a large-scale European assessment of RF-EMF exposure from mobile phone usage. Using the network monitoring application QualiPoc, measurements were conducted along predefined routes in various microenvironments across different European countries, while performing a scenario of maximum uplink usage, i.e., repeatedly uploading a large file. Average transmit powers of 4G and 5G were higher in Deinze compared to Ghent by 0.5 dB in median value and 5.6 dB in minimal value, aligning with broader European trends where rural areas exhibit 0.6 to 2.1 dB higher transmit powers than urban city centres. This suggests that the density of the network infrastructure, which is generally higher in urban than rural areas, is an important factor influencing exposure levels. This study provides essential measurement data for policymakers and epidemiologists to enhance the accuracy of personal RF-EMF exposure assessment. Future work will evaluate the influence of the 5G evolution on exposure across Europe.