The Bermuda Environmental Sustainability Taskforce has raised concerns about how a cellular tower was erected for the America’s Cup.

While BEST member Kim Smith expressed concerns that regulatory protocols were “absent or ignored” in a recent letter to the editor, the organisation stated today that the core issue was making sure members of the public have reliable and accurate information.

BEST chairman Stuart Hayward said: “We at BEST recognise that the use of mobile phone and other wireless technologies is on the rise, and that use will be boosted by the activity surrounding the America’s Cup.

“Our main concern is that the regulation of the applied technology keep pace and that consumers have access to reliable information. For the past couple of years we have been suggesting a precautionary approach in response to the intensification of use.

“Our ultimate goal is for the consumers of the technology to be well-enough informed to make sound decisions. We believe that this goal is shared among the service providers, regulatory agencies and consumers.

“Linked to the increased intensity of use driven by the America’s Cup, there is an opportunity on the near horizon for discussion on key issues. Just last week we heard via the media that there was correspondence between regulators on issues we had raised. With that in mind and wishing to foster a non-combative atmosphere, we will limit our comments for the time being.”

Digicel announced last week that it would be bringing a $300,000 mobile cell tower to the Island to help cope with the demands of the thousands of America’s Cup spectators.

Such equipment has been used overseas at major sporting events, including the Super Bowl, and in the aftermath of disasters such as Hurricane Katrina.

In a letter, published in Saturday’s edition of The Royal Gazette, Ms Smith asked: “How does this application differ from others, which enables it to avoid the normal processes of analysis and scrutiny?

“How will emissions be monitored and measured, and by which agency? How will the safety requirements of the FCC guidelines be adhered to? How can these requirements be imposed on a tower that will be located and relocated to highly populated events?”

The organisation previously raised concerns about the erection of a similar device in Devonshire, which garnered more than 200 objections from members of the public.

While the objectors questioned the safety of the tower, the Development Applications Board (DAB) concluded that the radio emission from the tower was 130 times lower than limits set by the Federal Communications Commission.

The tower was granted planning approval, and is believed to be in operation.