Just Wi-fi sent in this comment, outlining concerns about the free wi-fi project in Penang – this time largely unrelated to health risks – which give us some food for thought:
I work as an engineer with a tech company; installing wi-fi networks is part of my job. To be honest, most of us do discuss how the devices are affecting us. Some of us feel dizziness and some us experience headaches, especially in areas near signal-boosted wi-fi antennas (amplifiers). But again, these powerful devices are to transmit data within building to building and should be ‘away’ from offices, residential areas.
What concerns me is that the installation plan and study have been carried out. There are many challenges for this project.
A well-covered wi-fi zone needs more than one Access Point (AP) and careful planning. Normally, network engineers need to get a detailed analysis and studies over the area: how many estimated users per AP for now and in the future. Poor wi-fi designs will cause users to experience slow or intermittent connection (due to overloaded APs). Have they done the evaluation? What is the maintenance contract between the State and provider like?
Unless the backbone is using cable. Throughput (actual speed) of point to point/multi point is not very high and stable (due to interference from trees, buildings and even human bodies). If using wi-fi/Wimax as backbone… which buildings/location are they gonna mount the antennas? How many outdoor nodes? How many antenna towers will they build near residential buildings? Will you allow them to mount powerful wi-fi dishes on your rooftop?
What about security? Wi-fi’s security is no way compatible to cable. Remember, this is an open network; anyone can sniff your data packet. Does the company have social responsibility over public security? Can we sue the service provider for not taking enough security precautions? Are they willing to upgrade all their infrastructure if new vulnerabilities are found to hack wi-fi and Wimax? (Read further on old technology WEP. Any script kiddy can hack your WEP-key router in less than 20mins (search youtube). This is an old encryption method, but scan around the wi-fi signals now: I would say more than 90 per cent around Penang are still using WEP.)
Every technology has its good and bad; it’s just how we implement it. For this project, I strongly feel uncomfortable because everything is merely announcements, press statements.
Where is CAT value for the project?
Any company other than P1 tendering for this project?
Lastly, we need a place – both virtual (internet) and physical (office) – where we can obtain information on future mega projects.
These sound like fair questions and concerns, which should be addressed.
I would just like to add that private companies are not in the business of doing charity work. Their over-riding objective is profit maximisation. So what are the business models for these companies? If the wi-fi service is free, how does the company hope to raise revenue (and profit) to recover its RM10 or RM20 million investment cost? One of the ways is probably through advertisements on the wi-fi access website. Is that the only source of revenue? More details are needed. Let’s be completely transparent about the whole thing in line with CAT.
LKY, why the fuss over a mere 2.4 Ghz? Invisible some more! You sure or not? In Penang can get mugged, run over by a car and even drop dead on a 3 inch heel. All these more believable. Are you sure you are not a BN fan?
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I guess WiFi has become the new Electronic Folk Devil of the day. Previously, it was radio then television, with their far higher power output… and when nobody died from common exposure to radio and VHF waves, the focus moved to mobile phones. Decades later, people are still alive and kicking… so lets move on to the next one… WiFi… with its lower levels of power compared to our common old handphone.
BTW, as you read this, we are being showered by higher power & higher frequency microwaves in the Ku-band from the Astro satellite.
The statement (paraphrased) that “with WiFi you don’t have a choice but for cellphones, you can choose if you want to use them” is entirely incorrect.
Just because you choose not to own a cellphone or turn it off, doesn’t mean your surroundings will be free from electromagnetic waves used in cellphone communications. Likewise, your WiFi antenna in your computer can also be deactivated/disabled using the ‘Device Managed’ giving you a choice to choose if you wish to use WiFi or not.
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There is a report released in 2007, BioInitiative Report: A Rationale for a Biologically-based Public Exposure Standard for Electromagnetic Fields (ELF and RF). This scientific report also acknowledged by the EU Parliament. The summary for public is a good start for the report.
BUT, please, please, read carefully the report. Don’t simply jump to conclusion when you just finished certain paragraphs only.
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to Jaja :
please stop typing, there is million of virus under ur keyboard, please stop using internet, cause they is thousand of ppl readin your post via wifi, at last please stop bring your mother here…
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Most average homes installed broadband wireless unit for work at home – fun, living etc, same go to most malls and 24-hour restaurant and Starbuck etc. They have installed the unit to attract customers.
We have wireless waves from Astro, TV stations, mobile phone operators found almost everywhere – technology sadness.
Prevention from harm – heard that expose to sunlight about 20 minutes will help to reduce the radiant waves onto us – True ??
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To Jayen:
If you’ve got no time for the entire BioInitiative Report. Here’s a recent snapshot:
August 31, 2007 – Serious Public Health Concerns Raised Over Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) from Powerlines and Cell Phones.
An international working group of scientists, researchers and public health policy professionals (The BioInitiative Working Group) has released its report on electromagnetic fields (EMF) and health. They document serious scientific concerns about current limits regulating how much EMF is allowable from power lines, cell phones, and many other sources of EMF exposure in daily life.
The report concludes the existing standards for public safety are inadequate to protect public health.
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In response to Hambyul Choi, I am just a humble engineer.
I am concerned that we are all being bombarded by all these new wireless services. GSM, 3g, Wimax, WiFi etc. The more we embraced these technology, the more we exposed ourself to potentiall harmful radiation.
By the way, the radio wave pollution is more an issue in lesser developed countries than developed countries.Countries who want the services but dont have the infratsructure or unwilling to provide the proper infrastructure to support all these new broadband type services. In other words, these more dangerous technology are sold and shipped to us to use than in their home countries.
If Penang want to embark on developing broadband services, do it in a more holistic manner. Do not wholehearted embrace the wireless technology. Recognise the advantages and disadvantages. What wireles is good at is a short term bridge to development of high speed wired infrastrucure. Make sure the service providers have plan and budget to convert to wireless to fixed services within 3- 5 years. 3- 5 years will give them sufficent time recover their initial investment.
If, Penang do it this way, it will end up with a safe and first call communication infrstructure. With this infrastructure, Penang will be able to attract more ICT industries.
You have to know that wireless type services are generally less stable and reliable, due to enviromental factors. No serious business will want to jepordise its operation using wireless services.
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Thanks LKY!
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LKY, I have been thinking about what you highlighted. Makes alot of sense to me. However, I have personally seen how shortsighted decisions are pushed through in the boardrooms despite awareness of the more sound alternatives.
My concern is most of our people are not experienced enough nor care enough nor have the foresight to implement anything holistic.
We are not considered a market for third world rejected goods for nothing, you know. Although, of course many will disagree as we spend a good portion of our salaries purchasing “cangih” products that are “cool” and “current”.
Overall, the population is simplistic and are not critical enough to decipher advertising message from fact.
Sigh, so politicians do just enough to get by the masses’ expectations. Do you think there is hope for us as a race? Do you think we can rise above our “roots” as the “lesser” country/race?
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Hambyul Choi
This is what leadership is all about.
I was hoping that a DAP government will do a better job than BN. What we need is people who think holistically and long term for the good of the people. DAP is supposed to have some tech savy MPs and ADUN. If they think like the BN ie Gerakan, then it will be tough to move Penang to the next stage. And by the way, the Gerakan people would jump up with the proposals from Red Tone and P1. Same as what happened with the DAP people.
Beside the health issue, Penang need to think about modern infrastructure for future The next era for Penang is, to use the cliche, knowledge based economy. What it means is that this is information based works. Some examples that are quite succesful in Malaysia
- Call centers
- Global Data centers
- Regional finacial reporting centers
Today, these businesses are hiring graduates by thousands. And these type of businesses require stable and reliable and high capacity comunication network. Not the wireless wifi and wimax type.
Today theses businesses are found in Cyberjaya and KL because the type of nsfratsructure needed is found there
If Penang want to attract these kind of businesses with high paying jobs, the DAP government must get serious about the infrstaructure.
They should get Redtone and PI to commit to serious infrastructure.
Not toys like Wifi and Wimax. These are good for their brochure but do not bring business to Penang.
I am seriously hoping the Penang consult more people, and not only people with vested interets.
By the way, Lim Kim Yaik is the champion for PI. (Does he have a) vested interest in PI? You might want to check it out.
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I suspect (a certain Gerakan leader) allegedly has “vested” interest in P1. P1 did not get the license originally. It flowed to it through an allegedly “Gerakan” company. Now, whether this is “Gerakan” or not, I cannot be sure.
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Under the emission power standard, Wifi transmission power is limited to fairly low level. If the power is boosted to transmit wifi signal to more that 100-200ft, then it is against regulation.
“Some of us feel dizziness and some us experience headaches, especially in areas near signal-boosted wi-fi antennas (amplifiers).” This typical symptom of exposure to high power electromagnetic wave – in simple term, zapped by high power radio wave. Long term exposure – sterility or cancer or both.
I think people of Penang need to be educated properly. Just like fire, radio wave can be both good and bad.
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