WASHINGTON-The Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association said in response to its request, the Federal Communications Commission’s Office of Engineering and Technology and its Compliance and Information Bureau have issued a public notice strongly warning against the manufacture or use of transmitters designed to prevent or jam the operation of cellular phones or any other commercial mobile radio service or radio communications system.
The public notice states that the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and the commission’s rules do not permit the use of transmitters designed to prevent or jam the operation of cellular phones in hospitals, theaters, restaurants or other locations.
The manufacture, importation, sale or offer for sale, including advertising, of such transmitters is a violation of 47 USC 302(b). Penalties include fines for a first offense as high as $11,000 for each violation, imprisonment for up to one year and seizure of the equipment, said CTIA.