September 2025 The GSMA is a global organisation unifying themobile ecosystem to discover, develop and deliverinnovation foundational to positive businessenvironments and societal change. Our vision isto unlock the full power of connectivity so thatpeople, industry and society thrive. Representingmobile operators and organisations across themobile ecosystem and adjacent industries, theGSMA delivers for its members across three broadpillars: Connectivity for Good, Industry Servicesand Solutions, and Outreach. This activity includesadvancing policy, tackling today’s biggest societalchallenges, underpinning the technology andinteroperability that make mobile work, and providingthe world’s largest platform to convene the mobileecosystem at the MWC and M360 series of events. We invite you to find out more at www.gsma.com/emf Follow the GSMA - Policy and Regulation on LinkedIn:@GSMA Author Dr Jack Rowley, Senior Director EMF and Deployment Policy, GSMA Contents Context2 Spectrum for mobile communications8 Internet of Things and wearable devices12Internet of Things (IoT)13Wearable devices15 General questionsExposure limitsAssessing exposureScientific researchExposure levels Resources for additional information31 31 Context Increased mobile connectivity is transforming society,enabling changes in the way we live and do business,through new applications relying on mobile networks.Mobile network technologies continue to evolve from5G (the 5th generation of mobile technology) to 5GStandalone and 5G-Advanced; and the future 6G with itspotential for enhanced computing, wireless positioningand sensing capabilities1. The GSMA produced thispublication to address questions about exposure tothe radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields (EMFs)used by mobile networks and connected devices. Thefirst document section deals with the mobile technologyroadmap. This is followed by the Internet of Things (IoT)and wearable devices. The final section looks at generalquestions about RF-EMF exposure. everyday life, emitted both by natural sources like theSun and the Earth; and by artificial sources such as:wireless networks, TV and broadcast radio. Radio wavesare non-ionising, which means that they cannot directlyimpart enough energy to a molecule to break or changechemical bonds. They are different from x-rays, whichare part of the ionising portion of the electromagneticspectrum. See Figure 1 for additional information. Mobile technologies are designed to comply withRF-EMF exposure limits. The international exposureguidelines are based on the work of researchers formany decades. The guidelines are not technologyspecific and are periodically reviewed. The consensusof reviews by independent public health authorities,expert groups and the World Health Organization (WHO)is that these guidelines provide protection for all peopleagainst all established health hazards. Wireless networks and devices exchange information(e.g., voice or data) via radio waves – a form ofelectromagnetic energy. Radio waves are part of Figure 1 The electromagnetic spectrum showing 5G and other radio signals Mobile technologyroadmap As2Gand3Gnetworksarebeingphasedout,themaincurrentmobiletechnologiesare4Gand5G.5Gwaslaunchedin2019,withthestandardisationworkon5G-Advancedstartingin2022.Workisunderwaytodefinethenextphaseofmobiletechnologyevolution(6G)thatisexpectedtolaunchinthe2030s.ThisisacontinuationofmobiletechnologyevolutionasseeninFigure2. 5G 5G New Radio (NR) is the current generation of mobiletechnology offering higher data rates and lower latency(less delay) connections compared to 4G. 5G utilisesand integrates a mixture of spectrum and radio accessnetworks to meet users’ capacity and coverage needs. pattern happened previously during the rollout of 3Gand 4G. Both 4G and 5G will coexist into the 2030s when thenext evolution of mobile technologies (6G) is expectedto be deployed. Initial 5G deployments are generally in parallel withexisting mobile technologies, and often in locationswhere the technology is needed to supplement thecapacity of current networks. This allows users tocontinue using their devices without interruption.Further rollouts occur as demand dictates. A similar Private 5G networks are possible, using network slicing(virtual network on top of physical network) or spectrumlicensing. These networks are covered by the same RF-EMF limits as public 5G networks. 5G-Advanced The second phase of 5G is termed 5G-Advanced2. Itprovides performance improvements, better networkmanagement and greater efficiency, and enhancementfor specific use cases. This includes further integrationof satellite (non-terrestrial network - NTN) access.5G-Advanced provides all kinds of smart connectivity,including services that focus on uplink communicationand connect people moving at high velocities, such asthose on trains and on planes. Towards the end of the5G roadmap network sensing of objects is expected tobecome available. user equipment (UE) e