India is preparing to relax its electromagnetic field (EMF) limits for mobile networks, a move that could significantly change the way telecom companies expand 5G coverage across the country.

Under the reported revised framework, the permitted power density for a 5G base transceiver station (BTS) would increase from 5 watts per square metre to 10 watts per square metre. The new rules are expected to take effect next month.

The proposed change comes as India’s mobile networks handle rapidly increasing data traffic and operators continue expanding their 5G infrastructure.

Why Is India Changing the 5G Radiation Rules?

Electromagnetic field limits determine the maximum radio-frequency energy that telecom equipment can emit.

Telecom companies have argued for a relaxation of India’s earlier limits, saying stricter requirements could make large-scale 5G deployment more expensive and less efficient. The industry has maintained that higher permitted power density could allow operators to obtain greater coverage from existing infrastructure.

The reported revision would take India’s permitted level closer to the international reference level associated with the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP).

From 1 Watt to 10 Watts

India’s EMF framework has changed considerably over time.

The permitted power-density level for mobile tower emissions was previously much lower than the newly reported 10-watt ceiling. It was raised to 5 watts per square metre in 2025, and the latest reported proposal would double that figure again to 10 watts.

The change would represent another major adjustment as India moves toward a larger 5G ecosystem.

Fewer Towers Could Be Needed

One of the most important potential consequences of the new rules is the possibility of wider coverage from individual network sites.

If operators are able to use the higher permitted power density within the revised framework, signals could potentially cover larger areas. This could reduce the number of additional sites required in some parts of the network expansion process.

That could translate into lower incremental infrastructure expenditure and more efficient use of existing telecom towers.

However, the change would not eliminate the need for new towers altogether. Network requirements also depend on factors such as population density, data traffic, geography, spectrum availability and indoor coverage.

Vodafone Idea Could Benefit

The policy change could be particularly relevant for Vodafone Idea, which is continuing to expand its 5G network.

A higher permitted limit could give the operator greater flexibility when designing its network and deciding where additional infrastructure is required.

Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, which have already deployed substantial 5G infrastructure, could also benefit from more efficient utilisation of existing sites and potentially lower incremental capital requirements.

India Moves Closer to International Standards

The reported 10-watt limit is described as being consistent with the ICNIRP reference level and similar rules used in numerous countries.

Reports say comparable standards are followed in countries including the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, South Korea and Singapore, as well as many European countries.

India has historically applied more stringent precautionary EMF requirements than the international reference framework.

The Department of Telecommunications has also maintained systems for testing compliance at mobile tower sites and investigating public complaints concerning EMF emissions.

What Does the Change Mean for Consumers?

For ordinary mobile users, the immediate purpose of the policy is network expansion and coverage, rather than a direct change to mobile tariffs or smartphone specifications.

The higher permitted power density could allow telecom companies to strengthen coverage over larger areas and potentially improve network availability in locations where additional infrastructure would otherwise be required.

The actual consumer impact, however, will depend on how operators implement the revised rules and invest in their networks.

Health and Safety Remain an Important Issue

The word “radiation” can cause concern among mobile users, but EMF regulations are designed to establish exposure limits for radio-frequency emissions.

The Department of Telecommunications says its mobile-tower compliance framework is intended to keep exposure within prescribed safety limits. It also states that its requirements have historically been more stringent than the applicable international recommendations.

The reported policy change therefore concerns the regulatory ceiling for telecom infrastructure and should not automatically be interpreted as evidence that ordinary exposure to mobile towers is unsafe.

A Major Step for India’s 5G Expansion

India’s telecom sector is entering a phase in which network capacity and quality are becoming increasingly important as consumers use more video, cloud services, online gaming, artificial intelligence applications and other data-intensive services.

Relaxing the EMF limit could give operators another tool to manage that rising demand.

If implemented as reported, the move from 5 watts to 10 watts per square metre would mark a significant change in India’s 5G regulatory environment. The coming months will show whether the revised framework delivers the expected combination of broader coverage, more efficient infrastructure and lower network expansion costs.