In accordance with law 214/2023, Italy has increased the limit of electromagnetic emissions from 6 V/m to 15 V/m in order to support the development of its 5G economy. The Ministry of Business and Made in Italy notes that adjusting the limits of electromagnetic fields can enhance high-performance networks that will improve the country’s competitiveness.
To ensure efficient use of the frequency spectrum, changes have been made to the Electronic Communications Code following the criteria outlined in the CEI 211-10 Technical Standard. These changes aim to achieve fair distribution of electromagnetic space and effectiveness in managing emissions. The increased emission limits came into effect on 29 April 2024, allowing for accelerated adoption of 5G technology and enabling infrastructure mobile operators to enhance their network capacity.
Despite the increase, Italy maintains strict standards compared to other European countries. The 15 volt per meter limit is still significantly lower than the maximum limit of 61 volts per meter recommended by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), which assesses the safety of electromagnetic emissions.
Overall, the adjustments to electromagnetic field limits in Italy align with its goal of advancing 5G technology and improving network capabilities while maintaining a focus on safety and compliance with international standards.