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To: Andy Davidson
Date: 26 March 2004
Dear Mr Davidson,
Thank you for your e-mail of 18 March, and particularly for getting in touch with me directly to express your concerns. I take very seriously the manner in which we work with the communities in which we operate, and, on investigating your concerns, I discover that you have already been engaged in considerable dialogue with O2 Airwave over the past 6 weeks.
From your previous correspondence you are aware of the current knowledge about the potential risks from radio emissions, so I will not reiterate this, but would seek to make a simple point. In the current climate where society faces increasing threats to which we expect our emergency services to respond - from major national disasters to local children needing to be taken to hospital - we have a serious challenge in enabling those upon whom we rely, such as the Police, Fire and Ambulance services, to communicate securely, effectively and reliably.
The O2 Airwave service is an enabler in making safer communities. Against this we must balance the potential hypothetical risks. Despite all the available research evidence failing to find evidence of any risks to health, I appreciate your concerns about unknowable long-term effects, but I firmly believe the greater risk is in not having such an effective communications system. We are by no means complacent, and I wish to reassure you that O2 Airwave approaches health and safety issues in a responsible manner and will continue to fund on-going research into radio mast emissions.
I have taken a close personal interest in this issue and am reassured that O2 Airwave has consistently been monitored as operating at emission levels hundreds, and often thousands, of times below international safety guidelines. I am also reassured that Airwave has consistently been found by the independent regulator to be operating within the terms of its licence.
I would also confirm, contrary to your suggestion, that we do make every effort to work with local communities. We recognise that in order to deliver the Police's coverage requirement O2 Airwave will sometimes be required to develop the network in sensitive areas, and that there may be instances where no one site solution satisfies everybody. Where this is the case we try and balance residents' wishes with the vital needs of the customer. As a matter of course Airwave conducts a thorough consultation process, which begins with correspondence with local community representatives to advise them of Airwave's plans in the area. Our regional communications team organise and attend a number of meetings and drop in sessions - indeed I understand you attended one such meeting yourself on Tuesday.
Yours sincerely
David Varney
Chairman
mmO2 plc
Wellington Street
Slough
Berks SL1 1YP
E-mail: david.varney@O2.com
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