The current paper presents statistics on the mean
effective gain (MEG) for mobile handsets. The results are based
on a large measurement campaign in an urban environment
where the propagation channel from two different base sta-
tions to seven different handsets were measured in two bands
(776 MHz and 2300 MHz). The handsets were of different types
(bar, clamshell, pda), all had two antennas and were used in
data (browsing) mode. All handsets were measured with twelve
different users with both one-hand and two-hand grips. The body
loss, the mean difference between the MEG in free space and
with a user, was found to be up to about 15 dB with typical
values below 6 dB. Further results are given in terms of mean
values, standard deviations, and analyses for differences between
top/bottom left/right mounted antennas, as well as between one-
hand and two-hand grips. Finally, the body loss distribution
among the users is modeled and used for estimation of confidence
intervals.