A Parliamentary standing committee on Information and Technology has observed that the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has yet to frame guidelines regarding the standards for mobile handsets in the country. As of now, DoT has only proposed an amendment to the Indian Telegraph Act to give statutory backing to the standards developed for mobile handsets by the Telecommunications Engineering Centre (TEC). The committee has also observed that the global manufacturers show reluctance and resistance in adhering to the prescribed safety limits for supplying handsets in the country.

In this regard, the committee has urged the DoT to take all necessary steps in finalising and implementing the standards for mobile handsets without any further delay. The committee has also emphasised that the  DoT should promote and encourage the research works being carried out in the country on the impact of EMF radiations from mobile towers  by providing appropriate budgetary support.

Earlier, a Parliamentary standing committee on Science and Technology and Environment and Forests had recommended that the DoT should consider framing suitable regulations and guidelines regarding the location and inspection of mobile towers.