Wi-Fi health study to go ahead

The Government will be revisiting a study to conclude whether wireless netrworks have any detrimental health effects. The Health Protection Agency announced recently that it plans to investigate how wireless networks are being used and aim to establish the average levels of low level radiation emitted by Wi-Fi access points.

Professor Pat Troop, chief executive of the agency, said there has been "no scientific evidence to date" to conclude that Wi-Fi access points could have any effect on the health of those within range.

"Given this, there is no particular reason why schools and others should not continue to use Wi-Fi or other wireless networks," said Prof Troop, speaking to bbc.co.uk.

However, the proposed study aims to pinpoint an average baseline level of exposure to low level radiation.

In other Wi-Fi news, Ofcom has announced that it will be encouraging the UK’s leading ISPs to launch ‘try before you buy’ schemes, following a series of reports that consumers often do not reach the broadband speeds advertised.

Colette Bowe, Chairman of the Ofcom Consumer Panel said in a letter: “We believe that broadband customers are not at the moment getting enough information. We are of course aware of the technical reasons for the “up to” terminology that you use. I would however like to have your views about how these technical issues might be better addressed in terms of giving clearer information to potential customers. We believe that broadband customers are not at the moment getting enough information.”