Does the mobile phone emit radio waves when it is not in use?
All mobile phones that are “on” will send short “messages” to the mobile network at intervals (approximately once an hour when the mobile handset is immobile, more often when the handset is moving fast, e.g. when in a car). The reason for this is that the mobile network must receive information of where your mobile phone is at all times. These messages are of a three-second duration. This procedure is called signalling. The transmitting power of such signalling will correspond to the mobile coverage that exists in the area. Other than these three-second messages, the mobile phone sends no radio signals when not in use.
