The issue of using jamming technology to curb illegal use of cell phones by prisoners is discussed by CTIA Vice-President, Regulatory Affairs Chris Guttman-McCabe. McCabe details the industry's desire to work with corrections officials to end the problem in a way that won't interfere with the service of legitimate users in near proximity to facilities. To learn more watch this segment from our June installment of our Wonder of Wireless webcast, and take a few moments to see what else we have to offer in our June WOW.

Cell phone jamming is not only illegal, but is also a blunt, potentially ineffective instrument when not utilized by the federal government in rare instances. Learn more, in our March installment of WOW's Policy Point, on how wireless jamming technology is being illegally tested in some correctional institutions, and what legal solutions can be used to stop inmates from obtaining and using cell phones behind bars. Also see what else we have to offer in our March installment of CTIA’s Wonder of Wireless webcast.

You might be aware of the recent increase in attention being given to wireless jamming technology and demonstrations of it in correctional institutions. Just a few hours ago the FCC's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau denied a Request for Special Temporary Authority (RSTA) by the DC Department of Corrections to test illegal jamming technology in one of its institutions. The Bureau recognized that the use of such technology is against the law, and that its ruling is consistent with 10 years of similar considerations that the sale, use, and marketing of devices intended to interfere with wireless communications are illegal. 

Jamming tests were recently permitted (in South Carolina) and prohibited (in Texas), and there's interest in other areas in exploring this possible solution to the problem of inmates' use of cell phone while they're behind bars. There are numerous problems with this 'solution', and I want to try and simply list them so you can see where the industry's coming from in opposing these illegal tests, and the reasonable alternatives we support.

#1-  As I've already said and as the existing law clearly states, jamming technology is illegal. That's crystal clear. 

#2- Possible solutions, such as cell detection technology, already exist and are being used. Cell detection does not disrupt cellular service, which jamming technology can potentially do for law-abiding citizens and public safety officials in the vicinity of a corrections facility deploying it. Cell detection allows corrections official to precisely locate where a contraband device is being used, so they can confiscate the device, punish the inmate user, and hopefully track down the source of the device.

#3- Just step back and think about the problem we're all interested in solving. Inmates are illegally obtaining and using cell phones. Obviously, they're getting them from somewhere. More specific and severe penalties ought to be enforced to rightly punish those smuggling contraband devices to inmates, as well as those illegally possessing and using them. Cut off the supply, and the problem goes away.

The wireless industry has a long history of supporting public safety, and wants corrections officials to have the tools they need to properly perform their important jobs. Our position on jamming technology takes that into serious account, and we believe we can collaboratively achieve the goal of increased safety without breaking the law and potentially causing serious interference problems for consumers and public safety officials.