registration document France Telecom 2009 - Orange.com

6 ENVIRONMENTAL
overview of the Group’s Business
INFORMATION
Transparency of Information and Dialog
■ Informing stakeholders about radiowave s using appropriate
communication tools (Internet , extranet, seminars, etc.);
■ Answering questions from the various stakeholders relating
to radiowave s and communication technologies (dialogs with
residents, consumer associations, etc.).
In order to have the most recent information, the Group monitors
the results of scientifi c studies across the world relating to
radiowave s.
In addition to regulatory obligations, the Group provides
information and encourages consultation and environmental
protection, with the local authorities and local residents
concerned, through new projects for the installation or
modifi cation of cell phone masts.
In France, the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Spain, the
Group applies good practice guides and charters drawn up with
or by local and national authorities.
In some countries, informational guides and leafl ets covering
these subjects are provided to local authorities and consumers
during informative meetings and at certain points of sale.
Contribution to Research Efforts
■ Participating actively in technological research by developing
methods and tools to measure and visualize the intensity of
radiowave s;
■ Publishing studies on dosimetry and metrology;
■ Participating in working groups on international standardization
(CENELEC, CB, ITO or ETSI, etc.);
■ Supporting public and private epidemiological and biological
research programs planned by the WHO and the SCENIHR.
For more than ten years, Orange researchers have been
working for better understanding of radiowave s and to measure
the impact of solutions developed (cell phone masts, mobile
phones and WiFi installations). They have designed software for
viewing electromagnetic fi elds in 3D, “EMF Visual”, which can
determine the necessary security perimeter around a cell phone
mast and also an individual dosimeter for easily measuring
the intensity of waves transmitted into the environment. We
provide fi nancial support to public and private epidemiological
and biological research programs planned by the WHO and
the SCENIHR, such as those of the Radio-Frequency Health
Foundation in France, the Swiss Research Foundation on Mobile
Communication, and the MTHR (Mobile Telecommunications
and Health Research) programs in the United Kingdom.
Application of international Recommendations
or national Regulations
■ Systematically applying the international recommendations of
the ICNIRP or the IEEE in the absence of national standards;
■ Implementing the means with which to ensure compliance
with current regulations.
In France and certain other countries, fi eld measurements are
carried out regularly around cell phone masts, to ensure that
current regulations are complied with. These measurements are
then made public on the national authorities’ websites.
All mobile telephones marketed by Orange comply with
ICNIRP standards and have a SAR (Specifi c Absorption Rate,
designating the maximum level of radiowave s to which the user
may be exposed) of less than 2 W/kg.
Spreading the Word about best Mobile Phone
use Practices
■ Providing information to reduce exposure (using a handsfree
kit, telephoning in good reception conditions, etc.) via
appropriate communication tools;
■ Communicating the SAR of the mobile phone;
■ Systematically providing a hands-free kit when a mobile
telephone pack is purchased.
The Group’s policy on radiowave s includes generalizing the
display of the SAR at all points of sale or Internet sites belonging
to the Group and raising awareness among customers of
best usage practices. In France, the user manual includes
precautions for use of the mobile telephone.
6.4.8 Provisions for Environmental
Risk
Consistent with the explanation of environmental risks above,
no provision for environmental risk has been made. However,
in accordance with IFRS accounting standards, provisions have
been made for decommissioning and rehabilitation of sites.
The obligation to decommission and rehabilitate sites is
calculated on the basis of:
■ dismantling costs (on a per-unit basis for telephone poles,
terminals and public phones, per site for cell phone masts)
incurred by France Telecom to meet its environmental
commitments;
■ annual scheduled asset returns for telephone poles and
public telephones; and
■ estimated site closures for cell phone masts.
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2009 REGISTRATION DOCUMENT / FRANCE TELECOM