A Philadelphia man has sparked controversy by regularly using a device to create cell phone blind spots on a bus.
An NBC10 reporter in Philadelphia recently tracked down the man, who was using a cell phone jammer on a bus to block passengers from receiving cell phone signals. His reason -- he doesn't want to listen to other people's phone conversations. He said he would turn on illegal devices whenever other passengers bothered him by talking too loudly.
The man, identified as Eric, told an NBC reporter, "I think I'll take the law into my own hands, and frankly, I'm proud of that."
Jammers usually look like walkie-talkies and have several antennas pointing upwards from the device. Its job is to jam, block, or interfere with wireless communications, including Wi-Fi, cell phone reception, GPS, and police radar.
Section 302(b) of the Communications Act of 1934 [PDF] prohibits the "marketing, sale, or use" of jammers. The federal government and companies contracted to perform federal work, often related to homeland security, are the only ones authorized to use signal jammers. Like many ignoramuses who own jammers, Eric says he believes the jammers are used legally.
"We are disturbed by the reported incident and are reviewing it," Michelle Ellison, director of the FCC's Office of Enforcement, said in an email about the Philadelphia incident.
Although the device is illegal, bus drivers aren't the only ones trying to use jammers to silence people. The FCC has investigated the use of cell phone jammers in schools and theaters. Some administrators apparently see cell phone jammers as an easy way to prevent students from using their phones during class. Theaters find cell phone jammers attractive as a way to prevent people from using their phones during performances.
"While some people who use jammers may think they're just silting loud conversations or turning off unwanted GPS tracking, they can also prevent frightened teens from calling 911 and seniors from emergency calling for doctors or rescue teams to return to locations where the seriously injured are," Ellison said. "The price of one person's moment of peace or privacy may well be the safety and well-being of others."
Jammers are a problem because they block licensed frequencies that are not part of the jammer, and it is illegal to interfere with any licensed frequency. Jammers can block signals from tens to hundreds of feet. The FCC's biggest concern is that jammers will prevent emergency responders from communicating with callers.
In the United States, people usually buy jammers online. The FCC is working to prevent other countries from selling and shipping jammers to the United States, but some jammers get missed in the mail. The UK, Canada, Switzerland and Australia also do not allow the use of cell phone jammers.
In October 2011, the FCC warned 20 online retailers that it was illegal to sell and market signal-jamming devices to Americans. But, with a quick Google search, Americans can order cell phone jammers online.
"Our action should send a strong message to retailers of signal-jamming devices that we will not tolerate continued violations of federal law," Ellison said in a press release.
The United States has worked hard to keep jammers out, but cyber blockers can be manufactured and exported to the United States. The Federal Communications Commission said it was not aware of any violations in the manufacture of cell phone jammers in the United States.
