All mobile phone masts in Fermanagh are well within safety levels – but several must be kept under scrutiny if they are altered in the future.

Mobile phone expert Alan Edgar was asked by Fermanagh District Council to survey all masts in the county.

Mr. Edgar, manager of the EMX test centre at Queen’s University, concentrated in particular on sites that represented areas of possible health concern.

These included factors such as the presence of trees and obstructions, distance to the mast, height difference between masts and surrounding land, and the location of private homes and schools.

From 52 active base stations, Mr. Edgar visited 30 sites and nine sites were measured from 20 locations during July, 2002.

Phone companies were not made aware of when the measurements would be taken.

Power was calculated not at the level measured but at the maximum level of which the transmitter was capable, ensuring that maximum possible power was calculated with all available channels transmitting simultaneously at maximum power.

Mr. Edgar said mast installations were generally in accordance with the precautionary measures recommended by the Stewart Report on mobile phones.

However, he said the Orange base station at Fairview Avenue, Enniskillen, the Vodaphone base station at Irvinestown Controlled Primary Station, and the MMO2 base station at Irvinestown GAA grounds should be singled out for special scrutiny.