PUBLIC NOTICE Page 1 of 1 Federal Communications Commission 445 12th St., S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 News Media Information 202 / 418-0500 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 1-888-835-5322 DA 11-250 February 9, 2011 Enforcement Advisory No. 2011-04 CELL JAMMERS, GPS JAMMERS, and OTHER JAMMING DEVICES CONSUMERS BEWARE: It is Unlawful to Use “Cell Jammers” and Other Equipment that Blocks, Jams, or Interferes with Authorized Radio Communications in the U.S. In recent years, the number of websites offering “cell jammers” or similar devices designed to block communications and create a “quiet zone” in vehicles, schools, theaters, restaurants, and other places has increased substantially. While these devices are marketed under different names ? such as signal blockers, GPS jammers, or text stoppers ? they have the same purpose. We remind consumers that it is a violation of federal law to use devices that intentionally block, jam, or interfere with authorized radio communications such as cell phones, police radar, GPS, and Wi-Fi. 1 Despite some marketers’ claims, consumers cannot legally use cell and GPS jammers within the United States, nor can retailers lawfully sell them. Why are jammers prohibited? Use of jamming devices can place you or other people in danger. For instance, jammers can prevent 9-1-1 and other emergency phone calls from getting through or interfere with law enforcement communications (ambulance, fire, police, etc). In order to protect the public and ensure access to emergency and other communications services, without interference, the FCC strictly prohibits the use, marketing, manufacture, and sale of jammers. What happens if you use a jammer? Operation of a jammer in the United States is illegal and may subject you to substantial monetary penalties, seizure of the unlawful equipment, and criminal sanctions including imprisonment.2 Therefore, this advisory emphasizes the importance of strict compliance with the legal prohibition against jammers. Need more information? To file a complaint, visit www.fcc.gov/complaints or call 1-888-CALL-FCC. For additional information regarding enforcement of the jamming prohibition, visit www.fcc.gov/eb/jammerenforcement or contact Kevin Pittman or Neal McNeil of the Enforcement Bureau at (202) 418-1160 or jammerinfo@fcc.gov. Media inquiries should be directed to David Fiske at (202) 418-0513 or David.Fiske@fcc.gov. To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), send an e-mail to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0530 (voice), (202) 418-0432 (TTY). You may also contact the Enforcement Bureau on its TTY line at (202) 418-1148 for further information about this Enforcement Advisory, or the FCC on its TTY line at 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835- 5322) for further information about the jamming prohibitions. Issued by: Chief, Enforcement Bureau 1 See 47 U.S.C. § 333 (prohibiting willful or malicious interference with the radio communications of any station licensed or authorized under the Communications Act or operated by the United States Government); 47 U.S.C. § 301 (requiring persons operating or using radio transmitters to be licensed or authorized under the Communications Act and the Commission’s rules). 2 See 47 U.S.C. §§ 401, 501, 503, 510. FCC ENFORCEMENT ADVISORY