LG LGC660R Owner’s Manual

User Guide

LG-C660R

ENGLISH
FRANÇAIS

P/N : MFL67300853 (1.0)

www.lg.com

Bluetooth QD ID B017971

LG-C660RLG-C660R User Guide

This guide helps you to get started using your phone.
If you need more information, please visit www.lg.com.

Some of the contents present in
this manual may not apply to your
phone and it depends on your
phone’s software or your service
provider.

This handset is not recommended

for the visually impaired because
of its touch-screen keypad.

Copyright © LG Electronics, Inc.

All rights reserved. LG and the LG
logo are registered trademarks
of LG Group and its related
entities. All other trademarks are
the property of their respective
owners.

Google Search, Maps, Gmail,
YouTube, Talk and Market are
trademarks of Google, Inc.

Contents

For Your Safety .......................6

Safety Guidelines ..................13

Important notice ...................36

Getting to know your

phone ....................................45

Installing the SIM card and

battery ................................47

Charging your phone ............48

Installing the memory card ...49
Formatting the memory card

...........................................50

Your home screen .................51

Touch-screen tips ................51

Lock your phone ..................51

Unlock screen ......................52

Home .................................52

Adding widgets to your home

screen .................................53

Returning to recently used

2

applications .........................54

Notifi cation drawer ...............54

Viewing the status bar ..........54

Entering text ........................55

Entering accented letters ......56

Entering numbers.................56

Google account setup ...........57

Creating your Google account

...........................................57

Signing in to your Google

account ...............................57

Calls ......................................59

Making a call .......................59

Calling your contacts ............59

Answering and rejecting a call

...........................................59

Adjusting call volume ...........59

Making a second call ...........59

Viewing your call logs ...........60

Call settings .........................60

Contacts ................................61

Searching for a contact ........61

Adding a new contact ...........61

Favourite contacts ................61

Messaging/email ..................62

Messaging ...........................62

Sending a message ..............62

Threaded box ......................63

Using emoticons ..................63

Changing your message

settings ...............................63

Setting up your email ...........63

Microsoft Exchange email

account ...............................63

Other (POP3, IMAP) email

account ...............................64

Composing and sending email

...........................................65

Working with account folders

...........................................66

Adding and editing email

accounts .............................66

Camera .................................68

Getting to know the viewfi nder

...........................................68

Taking a quick photo ...........69

Once you’ve taken the photo

...........................................69

Using the advanced settings

...........................................70

Viewing your saved photos ...71

Video camera ........................72

Getting to know the viewfi nder

...........................................72

Shooting a quick video .........73

After shooting a video ...........73

Using the advanced settings

...........................................73

3

Contents

Watching your saved videos

...........................................74

Your photos and videos ........75

Adjusting the volume when

viewing a video ....................75

Setting a photo as wallpaper

...........................................75

Multimedia ............................76

View model ..........................76

Timeline view .......................76

My Images options menu ......76

Sending a photo ...................76

Sending a video ...................77

Using an image ....................77

Creating a slideshow ............77

Checking your photo ............77

Transferring fi les using USB

mass storage devices ...........77

Music ..................................78

Playing a song .....................78

4

Utilities ..................................79

Setting your alarm ................79

Using your calculator ............79

Adding an event to your

calendar ..............................79

Changing your calendar view

...........................................80

Voice recorder .....................80

Recording a sound or voice ...80
Sending the voice recording

...........................................80

The Web ................................81

Browser ...............................81

Using options .......................81

Adding and accessing

bookmarks ..........................82

Changing Web browser settings

...........................................82

Settings ................................83

Wireless & Networks ............83

Call settings .........................83

Sound .................................83

Display ................................83

Location & Security .............83

Applications .........................84

Accounts & Sync ..................85

Privacy ................................85

Storage ...............................85

Search ................................85

Language and keyboard .......85

Voice Input & Output ............85

Accessibility .........................85

Date & Time.........................85

About Phone ........................85

Wi-Fi .....................................86

Turning on Wi-Fi ...................86

Connecting to Wi-Fi ..............86

USB tethering ......................86

Wi-Fi tethering .....................87

Software update ...................88

Phone Software update ........88

DivX Mobile

Accessories ..........................90

Troubleshooting ....................91

....88

5

For Your Safety

Important Information

This user guide contains
important information on the
use and operation of this phone.
Please read all the information
carefully for optimal performance
and to prevent any damage to
or misuse of the phone. Any
changes or modifications not
expressly approved in this user
guide could void your warranty
for this equipment.

Before You Start

Safety Instructions

WARNING

To reduce the possibility of electric
shock, do not expose your phone
to high humidity areas, such as the
bathroom, swimming pool, etc.

6

Always store your phone away
from heat.

phone in settings that may
expose it to temperatures less
than 32°F (0°C) or greater
than 104°F (40°C), such as
outside during extreme weather
conditions or in your car on a hot
day. Exposure to excessive cold
or heat will result in malfunction,
damage and/or catastrophic
failure.

Be careful when using your
phone near other electronic
devices.

mobile phone may affect nearby
in adequately shielded electronic
equipment. You should consult
with manufacturers of any
personal medical devices such
as pacemakers and hearing
aides to determine if they are
susceptible to interference from
your mobile phone.

Never store your

RF emissions from your

Turn off your phone in a medical
facility or at a gas station. Never
place your phone in a microwave
oven as this will cause the
battery to explode.

Safety Information

Read these simple guidelines.
Breaking the rules may be
dangerous or illegal. Further
detailed information is given in
this user guide.

Never use an unapproved battery •
since this could damage the
phone and/or battery and could
cause the battery to explode.
Never place your phone in a •
microwave oven as it will cause
the battery to explode.
Do not dispose of your battery •
by fire or with hazardous or
flammable materials.
Make sure that no sharp edged •
items come into contact with the
battery. There is a risk of this
causing a fire.
Store the battery in a place out of •
reach of children.

Be careful that children do not •
swallow any parts such as rubber
plugs (earphone, connection parts
of the phone, etc.). This could
cause asphyxiation or suffocation.
Unplug the power cord and •
charger during lightning storms to
avoid electric shock or fire.
When riding in a car, do not leave •
your phone or set up the hands­free kit near to the air bag. If
wireless equipment is improperly
installed and the air bag is
activated, you may be seriously
injured.
Do not use a hand-held phone •
while driving.
Do not use the phone in areas •
where its use is prohibited. (For
example: aircraft).
Do not expose the battery charger •
or adapter to direct sunlight or
use it in places with high humidity,
such as a bathroom.
Never store your phone in •
temperatures less than -4°F
(-20°C) or greater than 122°F
(50°C).

7

For Your Safety

Do not use harsh chemicals (such •
as alcohol, benzene, thinners, etc.)
or detergents to clean your phone.
There is a risk of this causing
a fire.
Do not drop, strike, or shake your •
phone severely. Such actions may
harm the internal circuit boards of
the phone.
Do not use your phone in high •
explosive areas as the phone may
generate sparks.
Do not damage the power cord •
by bending, twisting, pulling, or
heating.
Do not use the plug if it is loose •
as it may cause a fire or electric
shock.
Do not place any heavy items on •
the power cord. Do not allow the
power cord to be crimped as it
may cause fire or electric shock.
Do not handle the phone with wet •
hands while it is being charged.
It may cause an electric shock or
seriously damage your phone.
Do not disassemble the phone.•

8

Do not place or answer calls while •
charging the phone as it may
short-circuit the phone and/or
cause electric shock or fire.
Only use the batteries, antennas, •
and chargers provided by LG.
The warranty will not be applied
to products provided by other
suppliers.
Only authorized personnel •
should service the phone and its
accessories. Faulty installation or
service may result in accidents
and consequently invalidate the
warranty.
Do not hold or let the antenna •
come in contact with your body
during a call.
An emergency call can be made •
only within a service area. For an
emergency call, make sure that
you are within a service area and
that the phone is turned on.
Use accessories, such as •
earphones and headsets, with
caution. Ensure that cables are
tucked away safely and do not
touch the antenna unnecessarily.

Your phone is an electronic device •
that generates heat during normal
operation. Extremely prolonged,
direct skin contact in the absence
of adequate ventilation may result

in discomfort or minor burns.
Therefore, use care when handling
your phone during or immediately
after operation.

Memory card information
and care

Always insert/ remove the memory •
card while the handset power
is off. If you remove it while the
power is on, it may be damaged.
If a damage cannot be fixed, •
format the memory card.
The memory card cannot be used •
for recording copyright protected
data.
Do not write forcefully on the •
memo area.
Carry and store the memory card •
in its case.
Do not allow the memory card to •
get wet.
Do not leave the memory card in •
extremely hot location.

Do not disassemble or modify the •
memory card.

FCC RF Exposure
Information

WARNING

Read this information before
operating the phone.

In August 1996, the Federal
Communications Commission
(FCC) of the United States,
with its action in Report and
Order FCC 96-326, adopted
an updated safety standard
for human exposure to radio
frequency (RF) electromagnetic
energy emitted by FCC regulated
transmitters. Those guidelines
are consistent with the safety
standard previously set by both
U.S. and international standards
bodies.

The design of this phone
complies with the FCC guidelines
and these international
standards.

9

For Your Safety

CAUTION

Use only the supplied and
approved antenna. Use of
unauthorized antennas or
modifications could impair call
quality, damage the phone, void
your warranty and/or result in
violation of FCC regulations.
Do not use the phone with a
damaged antenna. If a damaged
antenna comes into contact with
skin, a minor burn may result.
Contact your local dealer for a
replacement antenna.

Body-worn Operation

This device was tested for
typical body-worn operations
with the back of the phone kept
1 cm (0.39 inches) between
the user’s body and the back of
the phone. To comply with FCC
RF exposure requirements, a
minimum separation distance
of 1 cm (0.39 inches) must be
maintained between the user's
body and the back of the phone.

10

Third-party belt-clips, holsters,
and similar accessories
containing metallic components
should not be used.

Body-worn accessories that
cannot maintain 1 cm (0.39
inches) separation distance
between the user's body and the
back of the phone, and have not
been tested for typical bodyworn
operations may not comply with
FCC RF exposure limits and
should be avoided.

Vehicle Mounted External
Antenna (optional, if
available)

A minimum separation distance
of 20cm (8 inches) must be
maintained between the user/
bystander and the vehicle
mounted external antenna
to satisfy FCC RF exposure
requirements. For more
information about RF exposure,
visit the FCC website at www.
fcc.gov

FCC Part 15 Class B
Compliance

This device and its accessories
comply with part 15 of FCC rules
and ICES-003 Class B digital
apparatus requirements for
Industry Canada.

Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:

(1) This device and its
accessories may not cause
harmful interference, and
(2) this device and its
accessories must accept any
interference received, including
interference that may cause
undesired operation.

Cautions for Battery

Do not disassemble.•
Do not short-circuit.•
Do not expose to high •
temperature: 140°F (60°C).
Do not incinerate.•

Battery Disposal

Please dispose of your battery •
properly or bring to your local
wireless carrier for recycling.
Do not dispose in fire or with •
hazardous or flammable materials.

Adapter (Charger)
Cautions

Using the wrong battery charger •
could damage your phone and
void your warranty.
The adapter or battery charger is •
intended for indoor use only.

Do not expose the adapter or
battery charger to direct sunlight
or use it in places with high
humidity, such as the bathroom.

11

For Your Safety

Avoid damage to your
hearing

Damage to your hearing can •
occur if you are exposed to loud
sound for long periods of time.
We therefore recommend that
you do not turn on or off the
handset close to your ear. We also
recommend that music and call
volumes are set to a reasonable
level.
If you are listening to music whilst •
out and about, please ensure that
the volume is at a reasonable
level so that you are aware of your
surroundings. This is particularly
imperative when attempting to
cross the street.

12

Safety Guidelines

TIA Safety Information

Provided herein is the complete
TIA Safety Information for
Wireless Handheld phones.
Inclusion of the text covering
Pacemakers, Hearing Aids,
and Other Medical Devices is
required in the owner’s manual
for CTIA Certification. Use of
the remaining TIA language is
encouraged when appropriate.

Exposure to Radio
Frequency Signal

Your wireless handheld portable
telephone is a low power radio
transmitter and receiver. When it
is ON, it receives and also sends
out radio frequency (RF) signals.
In August, 1996, the Federal
Communications Commissions
(FCC) adopted RF exposure
guidelines with safety levels for
handheld wireless phones.

Those guidelines are consistent
with the safety standards
previously set by both U.S. and
international standards bodies:

ANSI C95.1 (1992) *
NCRP Report 86 (1986)
ICNIRP (1996)
Those standards were based

on comprehensive and periodic
evaluations of the relevant
scientific literature. For example,
over 120 scientists, engineers,
and physicians from universities,
government health agencies, and
industry reviewed the available
body of research to develop the
ANSI Standard (C95.1).

* American National Standards

Institute; National Council
on Radiation Protection and
Measurements; International
Commission on Non-Ionizing
Radiation Protection

The design of your phone
complies with the FCC guidelines
(and those standards).

13

Safety Guidelines

Antenna Care

Use only the supplied or an
approved replacement antenna.
Unauthorized antennas,
modifications, or attachments
could damage the phone and
may violate FCC regulations.

Phone Operation

NORMAL POSITION: Hold the
phone as you would any other
telephone with the antenna
pointed up and over your
shoulder.

Tips on Efficient
Operation

For your phone to operate most
efficiently:

Do not touch the antenna •
unnecessarily when the phone is
in use. Contact with the antenna
affects call quality and may
cause the phone to operate at a
higher power level than otherwise
needed.

14

Driving

Check the laws and regulations
on the use of wireless phones
in the areas where you drive.
Always obey them. Also, if using
your phone while driving, please:

Give full attention to driving •

- driving safely is your first
responsibility;
Use hands-free operation, if •
available;
Pull off the road and park before •
making or answering a call if
driving conditions so require.

Electronic Devices

Most modern electronic
equipment is shielded from RF
signals.

However, certain electronic
equipment may not be shielded
against the RF signals from your
wireless phone.

Pacemakers

The Health Industry
Manufacturers Association
recommends that a minimum
separation of six (6”) inches be
maintained between a handheld
wireless phone and a pacemaker
to avoid potential interference
with the pacemaker. These
recommendations are consistent
with the independent research
by and recommendations of
Wireless Technology Research.
Persons with pacemakers:

Should ALWAYS keep the phone •
more than six inches from their
pacemaker when the phone is
turned ON;
Should not carry the phone in a •
breast pocket.
Should use the ear opposite •
the pacemaker to minimize the
potential for interference.
If you have any reason to suspect •
that interference is taking place,
turn your phone OFF immediately.

Hearing Aids

Some digital wireless phones
may interfere with some hearing
aids. In the event of such
interference, you may want to
consult your service provider.

Other Medical Devices

If you use any other personal
medical device, consult the
manufacturer of your device to
determine if they are adequately
shielded from external RF
energy. Your physician may be
able to assist you in obtaining
this information.

Health Care Facilities

Turn your phone OFF in
health care facilities when any
regulations posted in these areas
instruct you to do so. Hospitals
or health care facilities may
use equipment that could be
sensitive to external RF energy.

15

Safety Guidelines

Vehicles

RF signals may affect improperly
installed or inadequately
shielded electronic systems
in motor vehicles. Check
with the manufacturer or its
representative regarding your
vehicle.

You should also consult the
manufacturer of any equipment
that has been added to your
vehicle.

Posted Facilities

Turn your phone OFF in any
facility where posted notices so
require.

Aircraft

FCC regulations prohibit using
your phone while in the air. Turn
your phone OFF before boarding
an aircraft.

16

Blasting Areas

To avoid interfering with blasting
operations, turn your phone OFF
when in a ‘blasting areas or in
areas posted: ‘Turn off twoway
radio’. Obey all signs and
instructions.

Potentially Explosive
Atmosphere

Turn your phone OFF when
in any area with a potentially
explosive atmosphere and obey
all signs and instructions. Sparks
in such areas could cause an
explosion or fire resulting in
bodily injury or even death.

Areas with a potentially explosive
atmosphere are often, but not
always, marked clearly. Potential
areas may include: fueling areas
(such as gasoline stations);
below deck on boats; fuel or
chemical transfer or storage
facilities; vehicles using liquefied
petroleum gas (such as propane
or butane); areas where the air

contains chemicals or particles
(such as grain, dust, or metal
powders); and any other area
where you would normally be
advised to turn off your vehicle
engine.

For Vehicles Equipped
with an Air Bag

An air bag inflates with great
force. DO NOT place objects,
including either installed or
portable wireless equipment, in
the area over the air bag or in
the air bag deployment area. If
in-vehicle wireless equipment is
improperly installed and the air
bag inflates, serious injury could
result.

Safety Information

Please read and observe the
following information for safe
and proper use of your phone
and to prevent damage. Also,
keep the user guide in an
accessible place at all the times
after reading it.

Charger and Adapter
Safety

The charger and adapter are •
intended for indoor use only.

Battery Information and
Care

Please dispose of your battery •
properly or take it to your local
wireless carrier for recycling.
The battery does not need to be •
fully discharged before recharging.
Use only LG-approved chargers •
specific to your phone model since
they are designed to maximize
battery life.
Do not disassemble or impact the •
battery as it may cause electric
shock, short-circuit, and fire. Store
the battery in a place out of reach
of children.
Keep the battery’s metal contacts •
clean.

17

Safety Guidelines

Replace the battery when it •
no longer provides acceptable
performance. The battery can be
recharged several hundred times
before replacement.
Recharge the battery after long •
periods of non-use to maximize
battery life.
Battery life will vary due to usage •
patterns and environmental
conditions.
Use of extended backlighting, •
Media Net Browsing, and data
connectivity kits affect battery life
and talk/standby times.
The self-protection function of •
the battery cuts the power of the
phone when its operation is in
an abnormal state. In this case,
remove the battery from the
phone, reinstall it, and turn the
phone on.
Actual battery life will depend on •
network configuration, product
settings, usage patterns, battery
and environmental conditions.

18

Explosion, Shock, and
Fire Hazards

Do not put your phone in a place •
subject to excessive dust and keep
the minimum required distance
between the power cord and heat
sources.
Unplug the power cord prior to •
cleaning your phone, and clean
the power plug pin when it is dirty.
When using the power plug, •
ensure that it is firmly connected.
If it is not, it may cause excessive
heat or fire.
If you put your phone in a pocket •
or bag without covering the
receptacle of the phone (power
plug pin), metallic articles (such
as a coin, paperclip or pen) may
shortcircuit the phone. Always
cover the receptacle when not
in use.

Do not short-circuit the battery. •
Metallic articles such as a coin,
paperclip or pen in your pocket or
bag may short-circuit the + and
– terminals of the battery (metal
strips on the battery) upon moving.
Short-circuit of the terminal may
damage the battery and cause an
explosion.

General Notice

Using a damaged battery or •
placing a battery in your mouth
may cause serious injury.
Do not place items containing •
magnetic components such as a
credit card, phone card, bank book
or subway ticket near your phone.
The magnetism of the phone may
damage the data stored in the
magnetic strip.
Talking on your phone for a long •
period of time may reduce call
quality due to heat generated
during use.

When the phone is not used for •
a long period time, store it in a
safe place with the power cord
unplugged.
Using the phone in proximity to •
receiving equipment (i.e., TV or
radio) may cause interference to
the phone.
Do not use the phone if the •
antenna is damaged. If a damaged
antenna contacts skin, it may
cause a slight burn. Please contact
an LG Authorized Service Centre to
replace the damaged antenna.
Do not immerse your phone in •
water. If this happens, turn it
off immediately and remove the
battery. If the phone does not
work, take it to an LG Authorized
Service Centre.
Do not paint your phone.•

19

Safety Guidelines

The data saved in your phone •
might be deleted due to careless
use, repair of the phone, or
upgrade of the software. Please
backup your important phone
numbers. (Ring tones, text
messages, voice messages,
pictures, and videos could also be
deleted.) The manufacturer is not
liable for damage due to the loss
of data.
When you use the phone in •
public places, set the ring tone
to vibration so as not to disturb
others.
Do not turn your phone on or off •
when putting it near your ear.

FDA Consumer Update

The U.S. Food and Drug
Administration Centre for
Devices and Radiological Health
Consumer Update on Mobile
Phones.

1. Do wireless phones pose a
health hazard?

The available scientific evidence
does not show that any health

20

problems are associated with
using wireless phones. There is
no proof, however, that wireless
phones are absolutely safe.
Wireless phones emit low levels
of radio frequency energy (RF) in
the microwave range while being
used. They also emit very low
levels of RF when in the standby
mode. Whereas high levels of
RF can produce health effects
(by heating tissue), exposure
to low level RF that does not
produce heating effects causes
no known adverse health effects.
Many studies of low level RF
exposures have not found any
biological effects. Some studies
have suggested that some
biological effects may occur,
but such findings have not been
confirmed by additional research.
In some cases, other researchers
have had difficulty in reproducing
those studies, or in determining
the reasons for inconsistent
results.

2. What is the FDA’s role
concerning the safety of
wireless phones?

Under the law, the FDA does not
review the safety of radiation
emitting consumer products
such as wireless phones before
they can be sold, as it does
with new drugs or medical
devices. However, the agency
has authority to take action if
wireless phones are shown to
emit radio frequency energy (RF)
at a level that is hazardous to
the user. In such a case, the FDA
could require the manufacturers
of wireless phones to notify
users of the health hazard and
to repair, replace, or recall the
phones so that the hazard no
longer exists.

Although the existing scientific
data do not justify FDA
regulatory actions, the FDA
has urged the wireless phone
industry to take a number of
steps, including the following:

Support needed research into •
possible biological effects of RF
of the type emitted by wireless
phones;
Design wireless phones in a way •
that minimizes any RF exposure to
the user that is not necessary for
device function; and
Cooperate in providing of wireless •
phones with the best possible
information on possible effects
of wireless phone use on human
health.

The FDA belongs to an
interagency working group
of the federal agencies that
have responsibility for different
aspects of RF safety to ensure
coordinated efforts at the federal
level. The following agencies
belong to this working group:

National Institute for Occupational •
Safety and Health
Environmental Protection Agency•
Occupational Safety and Health •
Administration (Administración de
la seguridad y salud laborales)

21

Safety Guidelines

Occupational Safety and Health •
Administration
National Telecommunications and •
Information Administration

The National Institutes of Health
participates in some interagency
working group activities, as well.

The FDA shares regulatory
responsibilities for wireless
phones with the Federal
Communications Commission
(FCC). All phones that are sold in
the United States must comply
with FCC safety guidelines that
limit RF exposure. The FCC relies
on the FDA and other health
agencies for safety questions
about wireless phones.

The FCC also regulates the base
stations that the wireless phone
networks rely upon. While these
base stations operate at higher
power than do the wireless
phones themselves, the RF
exposures that people get from
these base stations are typically
thousands of times lower than

22

those they can get from wireless
phones. Base stations are thus
not the subject of the safety
questions discussed in this
document.

3. What kinds of phones are the
subject of this update?

The term ‘wireless phone’
refers here to handheld wireless
phones with builtin antennas,
often called ‘cell’, ‘mobile’, or
‘PCS’ phones. These types of
wireless phones can expose
the user to measurable
radiofrequency energy (RF)
because of the short distance
between the phone and the
user’s head. These RF exposures
are limited by FCC safety
guidelines that were developed
with the advice of the FDA and
other federal health and safety
agencies. When the phone is
located at greater distances
from the user, the exposure to
RF is drastically lower because a
person’s RF exposure decreases
rapidly

with increasing distance from
the source. The so-called ‘
cordless phones,’ which have
a base unit connected to the
telephone wiring in a house,
typically operate at far lower
power levels, and thus produce
RF exposures far below the FCC
safety limits.

4. What are the results of the
research done already?

The research done thus far has
produced conflicting results, and
many studies have suffered from
flaws in their research methods.
Animal experiments investigating
the effects of radiofrequency
energy (RF) exposures
characteristic of wireless
phones have yielded conflicting
results that often cannot be
repeated in other laboratories.
A few animal studies, however,
have suggested that low
levels of RF could accelerate
the development of cancer in
laboratory animals. However,
many of the studies that showed

increased tumor development
used animals that had been
genetically engineered or treated
with cancer causing chemicals so
as to be predisposed to develop
cancer in the absence of RF
exposure. Other studies exposed
the animals to RF for up to 22
hours per day. These conditions
are not similar to the conditions
under which people use wireless
phones, so we don’t know with
certainty what the results of
such studies mean for human
health. Three large epidemiology
studies have been published
since December 2000. Between
them, the studies investigated
any possible association between
the use of wireless phones and
primary brain cancer, glioma,
meningioma, or acoustic neuroma,
tumors of the brain or salivary
gland, leukemia, or other cancers.
None of the studies demonstrated
the existence of any harmful
health effects from wireless phone
RF exposures.

23

Safety Guidelines

However, none of the studies
can answer questions about
longterm exposures, since the
average period of phone use in
these studies was around three
years.

5. What research is needed to
decide whether RF exposure
from wireless phones poses
a health risk?

A combination of laboratory
studies and epidemiological
studies of people actually
using wireless phones would
provide some of the data that
are needed. Lifetime animal
exposure studies could be
completed in a few years.
However, very large numbers
of animals would be needed
to provide reliable proof of a
cancer promoting effect if one
exists. Epidemiological studies
can provide data that is directly
applicable to human populations,
but 10 or more years follow­up may be needed to provide

24

answers about some health
effects, such as cancer.

This is because the interval
between the time of exposure to
a cancer-causing agent and the
time tumors develop - if they do
may be many, many years. The
interpretation of epidemiological
studies is hampered by
difficulties in measuring actual
RF exposure during day-to-day
use of wireless phones. Many
factors affect this measurement,
such as the angle at which the
phone is held, or which model of
phone is used.

6. What is the FDA doing to find
out more about the possible
health effects of wireless
phone RF?

The FDA is working with the
U.S. National Toxicology Program
and with groups of investigators
around the world to ensure that
high priority animal studies are
conducted to address important
questions about the effects

of exposure to radiofrequency
energy (RF). The FDA has been a
leading participant in the

World Health Organization
International Electromagnetic
Fields (EMF) Project since its
inception in 1996. An influential
result of this work has been
the development of a detailed
agenda of research needs that
has driven the establishment of
new research programs around
the world. The project has also
helped develop a series of
public information documents
on EMF issues. The FDA and the
Cellular Telecommunications &
Internet Association (CTIA) have
a formal Cooperative Research
and Development Agreement
(CRADA) to do research on
wireless phone safety. The
FDA provides the scientific
oversight, obtaining input from
experts in government, industry,
and academic organizations.
CTIA funded research is
conducted through contracts

with independent investigators.
The initial research will include
both laboratory studies and
studies of wireless phone users.
The CRADA will also include a
broad assessment of additional
research needs in the context of
the latest research developments
around the world.

7. How can I find out how
much radiofrequency energy
exposure I can get by using
my wireless phone?

All phones sold in the United
States must comply with
Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) guidelines
that limit radiofrequency energy
(RF) exposures. The FCC
established these guidelines in
consultation with the FDA and
the other federal health and
safety agencies. The FCC limit
for RF exposure from wireless
telephones is set at a Specific
Absorption Rate (SAR) of 1.6
watts per kilogram (1.6 W/kg).

25

Safety Guidelines

The FCC limit is consistent with
the safety standards developed
by the Institute of Electrical and
Electronic Engineering (IEEE) and
the National Council on Radiation
Protection and Measurement.
The exposure limit takes into
consideration the body’s ability
to remove heat from the tissues
that absorb energy from the
wireless phone and is set well
below levels known to have
effects. Manufacturers of
wireless phones must report
the RF exposure level for each
model of phone to the FCC. The
FCC website (http://www.fcc.
gov/oet/rfsafety) gives directions
for locating the FCC identification
number on your phone so
you can find your phone’s RF
exposure level in the online
listing.

26

8. What has the FDA done to
measure the radiofrequency
energy coming from wireless
phones?

The Institute of Electrical and
Electronic Engineers (IEEE) is
developing a technical standard
for measuring the radiofrequency
energy (RF) exposure from
wireless phones and other
wireless handsets with the
participation and leadership of
FDA scientists and engineers.
The standard, ‘Recommended
Practice for Determining
the Spatial- Peak Specific
Absorption Rate (SAR) in the
Human Body Due to Wireless
Communications Devices:
Experimental Techniques,’ sets
forth the first consistent test
methodology for measuring the
rate at which RF is deposited
in the heads of wireless phone
users. The test method uses
a tissuesimulating model of
the human head. Standardized

SAR test methodology is
expected to greatly improve the
consistency of measurements
made at different laboratories
on the same phone. SAR is the
measurement of the amount of
energy absorbed in tissue, either
by the whole body or a small
part of the body. It is measured
in watts/kg (or milliwatts/g) of
matter. This measurement is
used to determine whether a
wireless phone complies with
safety guidelines.

9. What steps can I take to
reduce my exposure to
radiofrequency energy from
my wireless phone?

If there is a risk from these
products - and at this point we
do not know that there is - it is
probably very small. But if you
are concerned about avoiding
even potential risks, you can
take a few simple steps to
minimize your exposure to
radiofrequency energy (RF).

Since time is a key factor in
how much exposure a person
receives, reducing the amount
of time spent using a wireless
phone will reduce RF exposure.
If you must conduct extended
conversations by wireless
phone every day, you could
place more distance between
your body and the source of
the RF, since the exposure level
drops off dramatically with
distance. For example, you could
use a headset and carry the
wireless phone away from your
body or use a wireless phone
connected to a remote antenna.
Again, the scientific data do
not demonstrate that wireless
phones are harmful. But if you
are concerned about the RF
exposure from these products,
you can use measures like
those described above to reduce
your RF exposure from wireless
phone use.

27

Safety Guidelines

10. What about children using
wireless phones?

The scientific evidence does
not show a danger to users
of wireless phones, including
children and teenagers. If you
want to take steps to lower
exposure to radiofrequency
energy (RF), the measures
described above would apply to
children and teenagers using
wireless phones. Reducing the
time of wireless phone use
and increasing the distance
between the user and the RF
source will reduce RF exposure.
Some groups sponsored by
other national governments
have advised that children
be discouraged from using
wireless phones at all. For
example, the government in
the United Kingdom distributed
leaflets containing such a
recommendation in December

2000. They noted that no

evidence exists that using a

28

wireless phone causes brain
tumors or other ill effects. Their
recommendation to limit wireless
phone use by children was
strictly precautionary; it was not
based on scientific evidence that
any health hazard exists.

11. What about wireless phone
interference with medical
equipment?

Radiofrequency energy (RF)
from wireless phones can
interact with some electronic
devices. For this reason, the
FDA helped develop a detailed
test method to measure
electromagnetic interference
(EMI) of implanted cardiac
pacemakers and defibrillators
from wireless telephones. This
test method is now part of a
standard sponsored by the
Association for the Advancement
of Medical instrumentation
(AAMI). The final draft, a joint
effort by the FDA, medical
device manufacturers, and many