Federal Communications Commission DA 11–135
Before the
Federal Communications Commission
Washington, D.C. 20554
In the matter of
Comtrex Communications Ltd. 
)
)
)
)
)
File No. EB-09-SE-118
CITATION
ILLEGAL MARKETING OF CELL PHONE JAMMERS
Adopted:  January 26, 2011 Released:  January 26, 2011
By the Acting Chief, Spectrum Enforcement Division, Enforcement Bureau:
I. INTRODUCTION
1. This is an official CITATION issued pursuant to section 503(b)(5) of the 
Communications Act of 1934, as amended (“Communications Act”),1 to Comtrex Communications Ltd. 
(“Comtrex”) for marketing in the United States unauthorized radio frequency devices in violation of 
section 302(b) of the Communications Act,2 and section 2.803 of the Commission’s rules (“Rules”).3
2. Comtrex should take immediate steps to come into compliance and to avoid any 
recurrence of this misconduct.  As explained below and as provided in the Communications Act, future 
violations of the Rules in this regard may subject your company to substantial monetary penalties, seizure 
of equipment, and criminal sanctions.
II. BACKGROUND
3. On June 9, 2009, an email advertisement from Comtrex for cell phone jammers was 
received by the Federal Communications Commission at dtvinfo@fcc.gov.  Subsequently, staff from the 
Spectrum Enforcement Division (“Division”) of the Enforcement Bureau viewed Comtrex's web site, 
www.comtrexcommunications.com, and observed advertisements for three devices listed as “cell phone 
jammers,” model numbers COMDZ101F, COMDZ101B, and COMDZ101M.4 On September 29, 2009, 
the Division issued a letter of inquiry (“LOI”) to Comtrex.5 On December 16, 2009, having not received 
  
1 47 U.S.C. § 503(b)(5).
2 47 U.S.C. § 302a(b).
3 47 C.F.R. § 2.803.
4 On September 14, 2009, Division staff visited Comtrex’s web site and observed that Comtrex was marketing three 
cell phone jammers, model numbers COMDZ101F, COMDZ101B, and COMDZ101M, at 
http://www.comtrexcommunications.com/cell-phone-jammer, http://www.comtrexcommunications.com/phone-
jammer-with-remote-control, and http://www.comtrexcommunications.com/portable-cell-phone-jammer, 
respectively.
5 Letter from Kathryn S. Berthot, Chief, Spectrum Enforcement Division, Enforcement Bureau, Federal 
Communications Commission, to Mr. Patrick Armstrong, CEO, Comtrex Communications Ltd. (Sept. 29, 2009).  
Federal Communications Commission DA 11–135
2
a response to the September 29, 2009 LOI, the Division resent the LOI to Comtrex.6 Comtrex responded 
to the LOI on December 30, 2009.7
4. In its LOI Response, Comtrex admitted that it marketed the subject cell phone jammers in 
an email marketing blast on June 9, 2009 and on its web site.  Comtrex also stated that it did not receive 
any inquiries from prospective purchasers as a result of the email blast or web site advertising.8 Comtrex 
further stated that it “has never sold cell phone jammers to any customer worldwide, never been in 
possession of a cell phone jammer, [and] never imported or exported cell phone jammers,” and that it 
does not manufacture jammers. 9 Finally, Comtrex asserted that when it was contacted by the 
Commission concerning this matter, Comtrex “immediately removed any references for cell phone 
jammers” from its web site.10
III. APPLICABLE LAW AND VIOLATIONS
5. Federal law prohibits the marketing and operation of cell phone jammers in the United 
States.  Section 333 of the Communications Act states that “[n]o person shall willfully or maliciously 
interfere with or cause interference to any radio communications of any station licensed or authorized by 
or under this Act or operated by the United States Government.”11 In addition, section 302(b) of the 
Communications Act provides that “[n]o person shall manufacture, import, sell, offer for sale, or ship 
devices or home electronic equipment and systems, or use devices, which fail to comply with regulations 
promulgated pursuant to this section.”12  
6. The applicable implementing regulations for section 302(b) are set forth in sections 
2.803, 15.201, and 15.3(o) of the Rules.13 Section 2.803(a)(1) of the Rules provides that:
no person shall sell or lease, or offer for sale or lease (including advertising for sale or 
lease), or import, ship, or distribute for the purpose of selling or leasing or offering for 
sale or lease, any radio frequency device unless … [i]n the case of a device subject to 
certification, such device has been authorized by the Commission in accordance with the 
rules in this chapter and is properly identified and labeled as required by § 2.925 and 
other relevant sections in this chapter.14
  
According to the September 29, 2009 Fax Transmission Report, the LOI was successfully sent to the Comtrex fax 
number.
6 Letter from Kathryn S. Berthot, Chief, Spectrum Enforcement Division, Enforcement Bureau, Federal 
Communications Commission, to Mr. Patrick Armstrong, CEO, Comtrex Communications Ltd. (Dec. 16, 2009).
7 Letter from Richard Myers, President, Comtrex Communications Ltd., to JoAnn Lucanik, Deputy Chief, Spectrum 
Enforcement Division, Enforcement Bureau, Federal Communications Commission (Dec. 30, 2009) (“LOI 
Response”).
8 LOI Response at 1.
9 Id.
10 Id.  Subsequent observations by FCC Staff of Comtrex’s web site revealed that the company no longer markets 
cell phone jammers (web site last visited on January 24, 2011). 
11 47 U.S.C. § 333.
12 47 U.S.C. § 302a(b).
13 47 C.F.R. §§ 2.803, 15.201, and 15.3(o).
14 47 C.F.R. § 2.803(a)(1).
Federal Communications Commission DA 11–135
3
Additionally, section 2.803(g) of the Rules provides in relevant part that:
[R]adio frequency devices that could not be authorized or legally operated under the 
current rules … shall not be operated, advertised, displayed, offered for sale or lease, sold 
or leased, or otherwise marketed absent a license issued under part 5 of this chapter or a 
special temporary authorization issued by the Commission.15  
7. Pursuant to section 15.201(b) of the Rules,16 before intentional radiators17 like cell phone 
jammers can be marketed in the United States, they must be authorized in accordance with the 
Commission’s certification procedures.  Section 2.803(e)(4) of the Rules defines “marketing” as the “sale 
or lease, or offering for sale or lease, including advertising for sale or lease, or importation, shipment or 
distribution for the purpose of selling or leasing or offering for sale or lease.”18  
8. Jamming devices, however, cannot be certified or authorized because the main purpose of 
a jamming device is to block or interfere with radio communications.  As noted above, such use is clearly 
prohibited by section 333 of the Communications Act.  Thus, cell phone jammers, such as those offered 
by Comtrex, cannot comply with the FCC’s technical standards and therefore cannot be marketed in the 
United States.  
9. While Comtrex claims that it did not actually manufacture, import, or sell cell phone 
jammers, it admits that it marketed cell phone jammers in the United States.  Accordingly, we find that 
Comtrex has violated section 302(b) of the Communications Act and section 2.803 of the Rules by 
marketing in the United States radio frequency devices (model numbers COMDZ101F, COMDZ101B, 
and COMDZ101M) that are not eligible for certification.  We therefore issue this Citation to Comtrex for 
violating the Communications Act and the Rules as discussed above.  
IV. FUTURE COMPLIANCE
10. If, after receipt of this Citation, Comtrex violates the Communications Act or the Rules 
by engaging in conduct of the type described herein, the Commission may impose monetary forfeitures of 
up to $16,000 for each such violation or each day of a continuing violation and up to $112,500 for any 
single act or failure to act.19 In addition, violations of the Communications Act or the Rules can result in 
seizure of equipment through in rem forfeiture actions,20 as well as criminal sanctions, including 
imprisonment.21
11. Comtrex may respond to this Citation within thirty (30) days after the release date of this 
Citation either through (1) a personal interview at the closest FCC office, or (2) a written statement.  Any 
written statements should specify what actions have been taken by Comtrex to ensure that it does not 
  
15 47 C.F.R. § 2.803(g).
16 47 C.F.R. § 15.201(b).
17 Section 15.3(o) of the Rules defines an “intentional radiator” as a “device that intentionally generates and emits 
radio frequency energy by radiation or induction.”  47 C.F.R. § 15.3(o).
18 47 C.F.R. § 2.803(e)(4).
19 See 47 U.S.C. § 503; 47 C.F.R. § 1.80(b)(3). These amounts are subject to further adjustment for inflation (see id.
§ 1.80(b)(5)), and the forfeiture amount applicable to any violation will be determined based on the statutory amount 
designated at the time of the violation.
20 See 47 U.S.C. § 510.
21 See 47 U.S.C. §§ 401, 501.
Federal Communications Commission DA 11–135
4
violate the Communications Act and the Rules prohibiting the marketing of radio frequency jamming 
devices in the future.  Please reference EB file number EB-09-SE-118 when corresponding with the 
Commission.  
12. Under the Privacy Act of 1974, any statement or information provided by you may be 
used by the Commission to determine if further enforcement action is required.22 Any knowingly or 
willfully false statement or concealment of any material fact, made in reply to this Citation is punishable 
by fine or imprisonment.23 Please also note that section 1.17 of the Rules requires that you provide 
truthful and accurate statements to the Commission.24  
V. CONTACT INFORMATION
13. The closest FCC office is the New York District Office, in New York, NY.  You may 
contact Jennifer Burton by telephone, 202-418-1160, to schedule a personal interview, which must take 
place within thirty (30) days after the release date of this Citation.  You should send any written statement 
within thirty (30) days after the release date of this Citation to:
Ricardo M. Durham
Acting Chief, Spectrum Enforcement Division
Enforcement Bureau
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, S.W., Rm. 3-C460
Washington, D.C.  20554
Re:  EB File No. EB-09-SE-118
14. Reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request.  
Include a description of the accommodation you will need including as much detail as you can.  Also 
include a way we can contact you if we need more information.  Please allow at least five (5) days 
advance notice; last minute requests will be accepted, but may be impossible to fill.  Send an e-mail to 
fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau:
For sign language interpreters, CART, and other reasonable accommodations: 
202-418-0530 (voice), 202-418-0432 (tty);
For accessible format materials (braille, large print, electronic files, and audio format): 
202-418-0531 (voice), 202-418-7365 (tty).  
  
22 See Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. § 552a(e)(3).
23 See 18 U.S.C. § 1001.
24 47 C.F.R. § 1.17 (“… no person subject to this rule shall; (1) In any written or oral statement of fact, intentionally 
provide material factual information that is incorrect or intentionally omit material information that is necessary to 
prevent any material factual statement that is made from being incorrect or misleading; and (2) In any written 
statement of fact, provide material factual information that is incorrect or omit material information that is necessary 
to prevent any material factual statement that is made from being incorrect or misleading without a reasonable basis 
for believing that any such material factual statement is correct and not misleading.”). 
Federal Communications Commission DA 11–135
5
VI. ORDERING CLAUSE
15. IT IS ORDERED that a copy of this Citation shall be sent both by First Class U.S. Mail 
and Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested to Mr. Richard Myers, President, Comtrex 
Communications Ltd., 714 Gerrard Street East, Toronto, ON M4M 1Y3, Canada.
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
Ricardo M. Durham
Acting Chief
Spectrum Enforcement Division
Enforcement Bureau