The Ministry of Digital Transformation and Civil Service will be renewing part of the infrastructure used to continuously monitor radioelectric exposure levels in Spain. The planned purchase includes 14 continuous monitoring systems and a control center to record, store, and analyze data coming from mobile phone towers, radio, television, and other radiocommunication services.
While this news might seem minor compared to major debates about 5G, fiber, satellites, or data centers, it touches on an essential issue for any wireless infrastructure: public trust. Mobile networks must not only be fast and well deployed but also measurable, auditable, and understandable by the public—especially when antennas are located near sensitive areas such as schools, nurseries, hospitals, health centers, senior residences, or parks.
The technical specifications from the Ministry explain that the General Subdivision of Telecommunications and Digital Infrastructure Inspection already has permanent monitoring systems in place. However, some equipment is malfunctioning and cannot be repaired because it is outdated. Hence, the need to replace them with new meters capable of outdoor operation, transmitting data via 4G, and remaining active for extended periods.
What Will the New Probes Measure
The new systems will be designed to measure broadband electric field. Each kit will include a measurement device and an omnidirectional triaxial probe, enabling the simultaneous recording of the three spatial components of the electromagnetic field and the calculation of the total exposure level.
The meter must support probes covering at least 100 kHz to 40 GHz. The main probe included in the supply should measure between 100 kHz and 7 GHz, a range sufficient to cover most common radiocommunication services, including mobile bands, radio, and television. The specifications also include an additional magnetic field probe between 300 kHz and 60 MHz as an enhancement.
The required technical sheet indicates these are field instruments—not laboratory devices for one-off use. They will have IP66 protection, GPS for georeferencing measurements, configurable alarms, 4G communication, and hybrid power sources including mains electricity, batteries, and solar panels. The solar-powered units should operate for at least 10 days without sunlight, a crucial detail for outdoor installations over weeks or months.
| Technical Element | Expected Requirement |
|---|---|
| Measurement Systems | 14 |
| Type of Measurement | Broadband electric field |
| Measurement Range | At least 100 kHz to 40 GHz |
| Included Probe | At least 100 kHz to 7 GHz |
| Spatial Measurement | Triaxial isotropic |
| Sampling Rate | 1 sample per second or less |
| Configurable Averaging | Up to a 6-minute window |
| Communication | 4G |
| Power Supply | Mains, battery, and solar panel |
| Solar Autonomy | At least 10 days without sun |
| Exterior Protection | IP66 |
| Geolocation | GPS |
| Warranty, Maintenance, and Calibration | 10 years |
The control center is also a key component of the system. It must operate 24/7 year-round for at least 10 years. Users will be able to view charts, download CSV histories, manage alarms, and oversee the equipment via a web browser. Connectivity is required through port 443, and each probe must be uniquely identifiable to prevent unauthorized access.
Why Do These Measurements Matter
The importance of these measurements lies not in setting off alarms but in reducing them through data. Radioelectric emissions are part of daily life: mobile phones, WiFi, TV, radio, wireless links, sensors, industrial devices, and public networks. Most citizens cannot measure these levels themselves nor interpret what they mean accurately. Therefore, official calibrated and traceable systems are necessary.
In Spain, exposure limits are established in Royal Decree 1066/2001. The Ministry’s annual report reminds us that reference levels depend on frequency, not the specific technology. In other words, the limit doesn’t change if it’s called 4G, 5G, radio, or TV, but varies with emission frequency. The most restrictive reference value cited is 200 µW/cm², associated with low-band FM radio broadcasting.
Measuring is important for four reasons. First, to verify that actual emissions comply with regulations, not just on paper. Second, to provide objective data in locations where community concern exists. Third, to detect deviations, faults, or incorrect configurations. Fourth, to ensure transparency in a technological deployment that will continue to grow with 5G, IoT, private networks, urban sensors, and new wireless services.
In technology, trust isn’t built solely with operator or manufacturer statements. It requires auditing. The same is true for cybersecurity, air quality, energy efficiency, or data center availability. If an infrastructure is critical, it must be measurable. Antennas are no exception.
It’s also important to avoid misunderstandings. Measurements don’t assume that an antenna is dangerous simply because it’s near a school or hospital. Regulations designate these as sensitive areas because they regularly host vulnerable populations—children, ill persons, or the elderly. Additional monitoring aims to enhance safety, not label these environments unsafe by default.
What the 2024 Report Showed
Recent data from the Ministry indicates levels well below legal limits. In 2024, 388 specific measurements were taken in sensitive areas: 120 schools, 60 health centers and hospitals, 149 public parks, and 59 residences or elder care centers. The average was 0.56 µW/cm², with a maximum recorded value of 18.14 µW/cm². The report concludes that measured levels are significantly below established exposure limits.
| Actions in sensitive areas during 2024 | Data |
| Number of sensitive areas measured | 388 |
| Schools | 120 |
| Health centers and hospitals | 60 |
| Public parks | 149 |
| Residences and elder care centers | 59 |
| Average value | 0.56 µW/cm² |
| Maximum value | 18.14 µW/cm² |
| Most restrictive reference limit | 200 µW/cm² |
The annual report also reports 1,083,306 measurements carried out via the permanent monitoring system across 22 locations. The average was 3.83 µW/cm², with a maximum of 112.35 µW/cm², both below regulatory limits. Specifically, in one site in the Basque Country, 78,653 measurements were taken with an average of 0.32 µW/cm² and a maximum of 1.21 µW/cm².
The overall conclusion of the report is clear: after 1,089,591 measurements in areas where people typically remain, the radioelectric exposure levels from analyzed radiocommunication services are much lower than regulated limits. This demonstrates that widespread inspection activity—including documentation verification, on-site inspections, checks in sensitive zones, and continuous measurement systems—is effectively ensuring safety.
A Trusted Piece of Infrastructure for Network Deployment
This equipment renewal comes amidst ongoing development of wireless networks. 5G deployment is still underway, private networks are starting to serve industry, logistics, and public services, and antenna densification continues to be necessary to improve capacity and coverage. The more radio infrastructures there are, the more important it becomes to explain what is measured, with what instruments, and against which limits.
Mobile technology relies on society accepting a distributed infrastructure: antennas on rooftops, towers, lampposts, public buildings, industrial parks, highways, or rural areas. This acceptance can’t be based solely on promises. It needs accessible data, independent inspections, and equipment ready to respond when a municipality, an educational community, or a resident requests verification.
Spain offers InfoAntenas, a public service providing information about radioelectric stations and exposure levels. The existence of permanent measurements and updated equipment enhances transparency because it allows continuous data collection at specific locations whenever there are social alarms, technical doubts, or the need for prolonged monitoring.
From a technological perspective, these systems are also valuable because they combine instrumentation, mobile communications, solar energy, geolocation, remote monitoring, access security, and historical analysis. They form a small public IoT network serving radioelectric inspection needs.
Purchasing 14 probes doesn’t imply that a safety problem has been detected but that the control infrastructure itself requires updates. In a country increasingly dependent on wireless networks for communication, emergencies, health, education, industry, and digital services, proper measurement is as crucial as proper deployment.
Building confidence in telecommunications involves coverage, speed, and price—and also technical oversight. Knowing emissions are monitored, equipment is calibrated, and data can be reviewed for months at sensitive points helps distinguish technological dialogue from misinformation. This separation will only grow in importance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What will the Ministry purchase?
The Ministry plans to acquire 14 permanent radioelectric exposure monitoring systems and a control center to store, visualize, and manage measurements.
Why are probes installed near schools, hospitals, or residences?
Because regulations consider these areas sensitive when near radioelectric stations. Measurement verifies with data that actual levels stay below legal limits.
Do these measurements indicate that antennas are dangerous?
No. They show that a monitoring system exists to verify regulatory compliance. 2024 data indicate levels are well below established limits.
What is the benefit of permanent measurements over one-off measurements?
They allow monitoring of level trends over time, detection of peaks, creation of historical records, and better response to citizen concerns or technical inspections.
Sources: News about Telefónicas
Technical Specification Document for the supply of permanent radioelectric exposure measurement equipment.
2024 Annual Report on public exposure to radioelectric emissions, controls carried out during 2024.
