Cell phone jammers can prevent you and other persons from making 911 and other emergency calls. They can also create dangerous risks to public safety communications in addition to interfering with other forms of daily communication.
This article explains how signal jammers work, why they are illegal in the United States, what to do if authorized communication is being jammed, and what Cellbusters can do if you have a question or inquiry about cell phone jammers.
How Cell Phone Jammers Work
Cell phone jammers work by emitting a Radio Frequency (RF) signal that is stronger than the power from the nearest cell phone base station or cell phone tower. The frequency of the RF signal is similar to the signal employed by cellular phone carriers and renders the phone unstable. The jamming occurs with the downlink signal. When your phone is being jammed, you will not see any signal bars on your phone.
Cell phone jammers will not only block the signal, but because the jammer has overpowered all of the cellular frequency, you will not be able to conduct a 911 emergency call. This is one of the primary reasons that mobile phone jammers are so dangerous, in addition to inhibiting routine communications and the reception of public safety messages or announcements. By using one, a person has created a potentially hazardous situation if someone has an urgent need for mobile communication.
For these reasons, cell phone jammers are illegal in many countries. If a person uses one in the United States, they are breaking federal law.
Cell Phone Jamming is Prohibited in the USA
Like many countries, the United States prohibits the employment of cell phone jammers in practically every use case.
According to the Federal Communications Commission, “Federal law prohibits the operation, marketing, or sale of any type of jamming equipment that interferes with authorized radio communications, including cellular and Personal Communication Services (PCS), police radar, and Global Positioning Systems (GPS).”
It is also illegal to sell, distribute, advertise, import, or market jamming devices to consumers in the United States. The use or marketing of a jammer in the U.S. may subject a person to:
significant monetary penalties (fines of up to $11,000)
seizure of the unlawful equipment
criminal sanctions including imprisonment
There are no exemptions for use within a residence, business, vehicle, or classroom. Local law enforcement agencies do not have independent authority to use jamming equipment. Jamming equipment employment by federal law enforcement agencies is authorized in accordance with applicable statutes only in certain limited exceptions.
Though signal jamming is prohibited, cell phone detectors are legal in the United States.
What to Do if Authorized Communication is Being Jammed
Do you suspect that a signal jammer may be causing interference? Bad network connections can be caused by a variety of factors including:
faulty equipment
physical obstructions that block the signal
lawful devices that are operating on the same frequencies
Before filing an interference complaint via the FCC Consumer Complaint Center, you should troubleshoot equipment and connectivity issues in accordance with manufacturer and service provider recommendations. In addition to consulting your owner’s manual and the company’s tech support, searching the Internet for your device/model and specific issue may help to either identify or rule out possible causes.
Find Out More about Cell Phone Jammers and Legal Detection Solutions
For some of Cellbusters’ overseas customers, we provide cell phone jamming solutions in conjunction with our cell phone detection technology. We call this combination of solutions “jamming on demand.” In this situation, a Zone Protector will be programmed to turn on the cell phone jammer when it detects a phone transmission is taking place. When the detected transmission stops, the jammer is turned off.
If you have additional questions about cell phone jammers and/or cell phone detectors, you can:
Cell phone jammers can prevent you and other persons from making 911 and other emergency calls. They can also create dangerous risks to public safety communications in addition to interfering with other forms of daily communication.
Signal jamming devices can prevent you and others from making 9-1-1 and other emergency calls and pose serious risks to public safety communications, as well as interfere with other forms of day-to-day communications.
The FCC licenses broadcast rights on radio frequencies. Jammers don't have licenses. If a jammer is caught, they can be charged with both unlawful transmitting on a radio frequency and for interfering with public safety operations.
“It's a public safety issue without a doubt,” King told WMAZ-TV. Since 2023, more than 13,000 contraband cell phones have been confiscated inside Georgia's prisons. Jamming would disrupt the RF signal between a phone and a nearby cell tower, making those devices useless, according to Carr.
It prevents illegal communication between visitors and inmates. Nowadays, it is even utilized in places like libraries and movie theaters. As a result, having a jammer can help maintain quiet atmosphere, prevent cheating and increase security.
Without highly advanced, military-level technology at hand, it is virtually impossible for the average consumer to definitively detect a cell phone jammer. However, if you suspect illegal activity of this sort, contact law enforcement or file a complaint with the FCC.
Blocking software or devices can stop a lot of the unwanted calls you get — like scam calls and illegal robocalls — before they reach you. Cell phones, home phones that make calls over the internet, and landlines each have their own call-blocking options.
Jammers resemble cycling shorts and are designed to reduce drag and increase hydrodynamics in the water. They also offer muscle support and improve streamline efficiency. Jammers extend from the waist to just above the knee, providing ample coverage and minimizing water resistance during swimming strokes.
Another reason why a lot of schools have jammers is to trying to prevent the students from cheating. A cell phone can be an easy cheating device where they can get the answers from a person who has the information or from the internet.
Although some jails and prisons have allowed prisoners to have cell phones, since most don't, there are major risks to having illicit electronics. Getting caught with a contraband phone can result in losing privileges, spending months in solitary confinement or catching a new criminal charge.
Jammers are widely used in universities, prisons, churches, schools, government agencies, libraries, or hospitals. Aids in concentration. Even at meetings or when talking with important investors, for example, people still tend to answer calls. A jammer prevents ringing phones from interrupting important discussions.
The use or marketing of a jammer in the U.S. may subject a person to: significant monetary penalties (fines of up to $11,000) seizure of the unlawful equipment. criminal sanctions including imprisonment.
The gang places cellular and Wi-Fi jammers around the homes they're targeting. This way, security cameras and phones are useless. A Phoenix police officer told me the gang probably noticed nothing was down in our house. Our home's security cameras and internet are hard-wired.
While the law clearly prohibits using a device to actively disrupt a cell-phone signal, there are no rules against passive cell-phone blocking. That means using things like wallpaper or building materials embedded with metal fragments to prevent cell-phone signals from reaching inside or outside the room.
Ukraine. As a result of a government initiative to prevent cheating on tests by students using their mobile phones, this is the one of the few countries in the world in which the use of jammers is legal.
Address: 2865 Kasha Unions, West Corrinne, AK 05708-1071
Phone: +3512198379449
Job: Design Planner
Hobby: Graffiti, Foreign language learning, Gambling, Metalworking, Rowing, Sculling, Sewing
Introduction: My name is Dong Thiel, I am a brainy, happy, tasty, lively, splendid, talented, cooperative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
