Mobile Network Penetration in Italy: A Preliminary Space and Time Analysis

The controversy about exposure to radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and their health risks is one of today's most significant environmental and health issues. The increase in telecommunication systems and RF emission sources has led to a rise in EMF levels, especially in urban areas. This study examines the spatial and temporal distribution of Base Stations (BSs) in some Italian regions by analyzing open datasets from the Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale (ISPRA). Collected through systematic measurement and monitoring campaigns, these records enable the reconstruction of infrastructure and power dynamics over more than a decade (from 2010 to 2023). A set of infrastructure, technology, and demographic indicators is applied to capture different aspects of network development. Results show a general increase in BSs' density and power levels over time, driven by the progressive penetration of mobile technologies. The analysis also reveals a shift toward densification, with the reinforcement of existing sites prevailing over the creation of new ones. This measurement-based approach offers a longitudinal and integrated perspective on mobile network evolution, linking infrastructural growth with demographic and territorial characteristics and providing evidence for informed assessments of population exposure.