FCC Proposal to Jam Contraband Phones in Prisons Sparks Outrage from Wireless Carriers and Industry Groups.
A proposal by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to let state and local prisons jam contraband cell phones has garnered support from Republican attorneys general and prison phone companies. However, wireless carriers and industry groups are strongly opposed to the plan, arguing that it would disrupt lawful communications, including 911 calls, and create a slippery slope for interference with unlicensed devices like Wi-Fi.
The FCC's proposal aims to address the issue of contraband cell phones in prisons, which have been used by inmates to coordinate crimes, intimidate witnesses, and orchestrate violence. However, wireless carriers argue that jamming solutions would block all communications on affected frequencies, including lawful ones.
"This plan is based on a fundamental factual error: the assumption that jammers will only block 'unauthorized' communications without impacting lawful uses," wrote AT&T in its comments to the FCC. "There is no way to jam some communications on a spectrum band but not others."
The Telecommunications Industry Association also expressed concerns, stating that limiting the effect of jamming would be difficult or impossible and could disrupt vital broadband services within facilities.
In contrast, prison phone companies see the plan as a welcome solution, saying it would help them combat the problem of contraband wireless devices in correctional facilities. Global Tel*Link (aka ViaPath) called the plan "one more tool to help combat the serious problem of contraband wireless devices in correctional facilities."
However, industry groups like the Wi-Fi Alliance and GPS Innovation Alliance have raised concerns about the potential impact on lawfully operating Wi-Fi and other unlicensed devices. They argue that jamming transmissions can have spillover effects on adjacent and nearby band operations and undermine decades of global spectrum policy.
The FCC's proposal has sparked a heated debate, with some arguing that it is necessary to address the issue of contraband cell phones in prisons. Others are concerned about the potential risks and unintended consequences of jamming solutions. Now, the commission must decide whether to move ahead with the plan as originally written, scrap it entirely, or come up with a compromise.
The FCC's proposal was submitted by Chairman Brendan Carr, who has argued that previous measures have not been enough to address the problem of contraband cell phones in prisons. He claims that these devices are used to facilitate crimes and create a sense of fear among law enforcement and community members.
The final proposal would be put to a vote of commissioners at the Republican-majority FCC.
A proposal by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to let state and local prisons jam contraband cell phones has garnered support from Republican attorneys general and prison phone companies. However, wireless carriers and industry groups are strongly opposed to the plan, arguing that it would disrupt lawful communications, including 911 calls, and create a slippery slope for interference with unlicensed devices like Wi-Fi.
The FCC's proposal aims to address the issue of contraband cell phones in prisons, which have been used by inmates to coordinate crimes, intimidate witnesses, and orchestrate violence. However, wireless carriers argue that jamming solutions would block all communications on affected frequencies, including lawful ones.
"This plan is based on a fundamental factual error: the assumption that jammers will only block 'unauthorized' communications without impacting lawful uses," wrote AT&T in its comments to the FCC. "There is no way to jam some communications on a spectrum band but not others."
The Telecommunications Industry Association also expressed concerns, stating that limiting the effect of jamming would be difficult or impossible and could disrupt vital broadband services within facilities.
In contrast, prison phone companies see the plan as a welcome solution, saying it would help them combat the problem of contraband wireless devices in correctional facilities. Global Tel*Link (aka ViaPath) called the plan "one more tool to help combat the serious problem of contraband wireless devices in correctional facilities."
However, industry groups like the Wi-Fi Alliance and GPS Innovation Alliance have raised concerns about the potential impact on lawfully operating Wi-Fi and other unlicensed devices. They argue that jamming transmissions can have spillover effects on adjacent and nearby band operations and undermine decades of global spectrum policy.
The FCC's proposal has sparked a heated debate, with some arguing that it is necessary to address the issue of contraband cell phones in prisons. Others are concerned about the potential risks and unintended consequences of jamming solutions. Now, the commission must decide whether to move ahead with the plan as originally written, scrap it entirely, or come up with a compromise.
The FCC's proposal was submitted by Chairman Brendan Carr, who has argued that previous measures have not been enough to address the problem of contraband cell phones in prisons. He claims that these devices are used to facilitate crimes and create a sense of fear among law enforcement and community members.
The final proposal would be put to a vote of commissioners at the Republican-majority FCC.
I think this is a super complex issue 
, and I'm not sure who's right or wrong 
. On one hand, prisons are dealing with some crazy problems using contraband cell phones - it's no joke about the crimes being coordinated and violence happening 
. But on the other hand, jamming all communications could have a huge impact on lawful uses like 911 calls 
. And what if it starts to affect other devices like Wi-Fi? That would be super inconvenient for everyone 
. I think we need a middle ground here 
, maybe there's a way to specifically target contraband phones without messing with all the other stuff 
. The FCC needs to weigh the pros and cons really carefully before making a decision 
.
... I was reading about this earlier, and now it's got me thinking... what if we just implemented some other tech solution instead? Like, have they thought about using AI-powered detection systems to identify the source of contraband calls? That way, you wouldn't have to jam all the frequencies and risk messing up legit comms 
. And another thing, why can't prisons just block specific numbers or frequencies directly? It's like, what's the harm in that? It seems like a pretty straightforward solution... but I guess we'll just have to wait and see how it all plays out 
this whole thing is super weird... like, we're trying to crack down on contraband phones in prisons but instead we're gonna jam all comms on those frequencies? it makes sense that these phone companies and AGs are on board but what about the 911 calls and other legit stuff that relies on that spectrum? 
It's like they say, with great power comes great responsibility. Jamming contraband phones in prisons might seem like a good idea, but it raises so many concerns about disrupting lawful communications and unlicensed devices. I don't think the FCC should just rush into this without considering all the potential consequences 
. And what about Wi-Fi and other unlicensed devices? We can't just go around jaming everything willy-nilly 
. It's like they're setting a precedent for messing with all our tech in the future 
. I'm not saying we shouldn't try to tackle this problem, but let's do it in a way that doesn't hurt everyone else, you know? 
or anything. But noooo, they gotta go and block all the good too... that's just a recipe for disaster 
. And don't even get me started on how they think jamming will only block contraband phones and not lawful communications. That's just a recipe for disaster 
. They're already making enough cash off those calls 
Can't we just find a better way to deal with contraband phones without messing with the entire tech industry? 
It's about time someone tackled those contraband phones in prisons, you know? They're basically causing chaos and putting lives at risk. I mean, it's not like we want our prisoners having an easy way to coordinate crimes and whatnot.
i mean i get that contraband phones are a big deal but jamming everything? that's like trying to solve a puzzle with a sledgehammer 
it's a slippery slope for sure. i'm all for finding ways to stop the bad guys but let's not sacrifice everything good in the process 
... I mean, we get it, contraband phones in prisons is a big deal and needs to be addressed. But jamming all communications on those frequencies? That's like throwing a blanket over an entire city 
.