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How do mobile phones work?

Mobile phones work using radio signals in a similar way to radio and television. The system is based on geographic areas known as ‘cells’. When you make a call, your mobile phone sends a signal to the nearest base station that controls a cell. The base station then sends the signal through mobile and fixed line networks to connect you.

Cells vary in size depending on location and demand. A large base station may be able to carry 100 to 150 calls at the same time. A smaller one may only be able to carry around 30 calls. More base stations will be needed in areas where lots of people want to use their mobile phones.

Increasingly, people access the internet using mobile phones, or a tablet computer or laptop and dongle. This uses more capacity than a voice call or text, so may require more base stations in some areas.

There are around 53,000 base stations in the UK, two-thirds of which are integrated into the design of existing buildings or structures.

How to find out about new mobile base stations

Every autumn, the Mobile Operators Association (MOA) sends all local planning authorities a copy of plans for new and existing base stations in their area. These come from the main four UK mobile network operators: Everything Everywhere (formerly Orange and T-Mobile), Telefónica (O2), Three and Vodafone.

To find out about these plans and details of any public consultations that may be taking place, contact your local council.

You can use the planning permission link to get in touch with your local council, who can tell you more. You can also find out about planning applications in your area by using the Planning Portal.

• Mobile Operators Association Opens new window

• Find out about planning permission locally Opens new window

• Planning Portal information on mobile phone masts Opens new window

Code of practice

The mobile phone network operators, central and local government and the MOA have put together a code of best practice. This outlines how they will communicate their plans for new base stations and consult with local people.

• The Code of Best Practice on Mobile Phone Network Development Opens new window

Base station emissions: what to do if you are concerned

Base stations send and receive radio signals to connect with mobile phones. The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) sets out guidelines on the level of radiofrequency emissions (RF) to which people can be exposed. All base stations in the UK have to comply with the ICNIRP RF guidelines.

As of April 2011, the Office of Communications (Ofcom) had conducted 724 surveys. All base station RF emissions were found to be well below the levels set by ICNIRP.

If you are concerned about a phone mast or base station near you, you can apply to have a site considered for surveying by Ofcom. A report of the findings are published on its website.

An online database of where mobile phone base stations are situated is available from Ofcom.

• Find mobile phone masts in your area

• OFCOM mobile base station database and audit reports Opens new window

Mobile phones and health

There has been a lot of research into the possible effects of exposure from both mobile phones and base stations. Measurements show that exposure to radio waves from base stations is much less than from using mobile phones.

UK government report: 2000

In 2000, a UK government report from the Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones (IEGMP) was published. It found that 'the balance of evidence does not suggest mobile phone technologies put the health of the general population of the UK at risk'.

• Read the IEGMP report on mobile phone radiation Opens new window

Summary of research findings: 2007

A report summarising independent research findings was published on 12 September 2007. It can be found on the Mobile Telephones and Health Research (MTHR) website.

• Read the MTHR research findings Opens new window

International Agency for Cancer Research: 2011

In 2011, the International Agency for Cancer Research (IACR) changed its classification of radio emissions to ‘possibly carcinogenic’. Other agents that are classified as ‘possibly carcinogenic’ are magnetic fields from electricity, coffee, petrol exhaust fumes and being a print worker.

• Download 'IACR report on radio emissions' (PDF, 250K) Opens new window

• Help with PDF files

Health Protection Agency

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) is responsible for providing advice and information on the effects of exposure from mobile phones and base stations. On its website, you can find detailed information about the typical levels of exposure from mobile phones and to those who live near base stations.

• Health advice on mobile phones: HPA Opens new window

• HPA response to IACR announcement on mobile phone emissions Opens new window

More useful links

• Find your local council

• Find out more about telecoms policy in Northern Ireland Opens new window

• Find out about telecoms policy in Scotland Opens new window

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