Mobile Signal Jammer - What are the UK rules?

[Mitchy_Boy]

My friend has recently obtained a device that is able to Jam the signals of any mobile phone that is in the immediate area. With a flick of a switch he tells me that he can enjoy peaceful commutes to work on otherwise packed trains, with people shouting into their mobile phones.
I have heard conflicting stories on whether these devices are illegal in the UK, with varying degrees of fines/imprisonment, but am not sure which are true? What the law states? And if there are any cases of prosecution in the UK?

[R1Geezer]

where can I get one?

[Ethel]

Legal to own, illegal to use, heavy fines.

[Ethel]

I have found the relevant UK law - maximum 2 years imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/radiocomms/ifi/enforce ment/jammers

[Ethel]

And a successful prosecution:

2 March 2003

A Northampton man who admitted selling and using illegal mobile phone jammers was given a 12 month conditional discharge and ordered to pay �5,200 towards prosecution costs when he appeared before Northampton Magistrates on Tuesday 11 March. Seized apparatus was also forfeited.

Glenn Jeffery Darien, 40, of Broadway, Northampton pleaded guilty to two charges of supplying and using mobile phone jammers - illegal in this country.

[Mitchy_Boy]

Ethel, many thanks for the link. Seems pretty serious to me. All i had managed to find was a mention to the 1949 Telephony. As these devices were not around in 1949 it was pretty vague to specify the correct terminology, and mentioned fines of between �10-�40. But now the laws have been changed this seems to be a little more serious. R1 geezer - You still interested? ;)

[Ethel]

One of the reasons they are illegal is the possibility of them interfering with police, ambulance, fire engine communications, and perhaps (I don't know) they could interfere with radar speed traps.

[BRAVO1]

Despite the legal implications I think that it might just be a great invention, it's a shame car manufactuers couldn't incorperate such a device in cars, to stop people making cars whilst driving.

My neighbours Son got knocked over by a driver texting his girlfriend..His got to live a life with brain damage.

REMEMBER : NEVER USE YOUR PHONE WHILST DRIVING.

[Whickerman]

Ethel - unfortunately, it seems (here in Ireland anyway)it's possible it's nothing to do with the emergency services. We had a case near my home, and the powers that be insist that blockers are banned solely because the right to the airtwaves was bought by the various telephony companies, and the blockage of their signal interferes with their rights to do business.

[Electrochem]

Blinking heck BRAVO1! You would have to be a good engineer to make cars while driving!

Seriously though, I think that if the range of a blocker could be confined to a building, I would be all for them. I have even been to a funeral where one went off!

I also object very strongly to people answering a mobile when I am talking to them. It is simply bad manners.

As for theatres, sporting venues and the likem I would eject anyone who's mobile went off audibly during a performance or game.

Probably used they are an asset.

[Electrochem]

Correction to previous answer: for probably read properly

[BRAVO1]

Thank-you Sir !.

Yes I agree, in the right place at the right time, then why not.

What about the human rights of those who want peace from these instruments of the devil.

Come on all you major car makers, get them signal blockers installed and start saving inocent lives.

[BRAVO1]

Sorry for the type errors !!.

[Ethel]

You may need to use your mobile phone in the car for an emergency. Any sort of emergency - perhaps a matter of life and death sort of emergency.

Phone jammers would stop the passenger using a mobile phone too.

If my passenger were having a heart attack, or gone in to labour, I wouldn't particularly want to get out of the vehicle to call the emergency services.

[R1Geezer]

Well it would be nice to jam those to55ers who have the phone stuck to their ear on buses and trains talking at 90 decibels to someone. aaaarrrgggghhh

[Twenty20]

I cant see that it would be illegal to operate these jammers on private property i.e. the owners of a theatre could operate them within the theatre, or train operators within certain carriages of the train.

[Mitchy_Boy]

It seems that almost everyone would like to see these type of devices used in certain areas from time to time. Who knows we may not be too far away from where you can chose to go to a restaurant who have stickers in the window for "Mobile free zones", how great would that be?! Or even cinema's that offer these areas too. I think a blanket ban would be to harsh but on the other hand "open season" for anyone to install them would be dangerous, especially if the power of the device affects furhter than just within the 4 walls of the establishment. It would end up with vast chunks of cities having no network coverage. So if they could be controlled to work say within a room, with no further coverage, then i for one would enjoy going to such places without having some loud mouth shouting into his phone and runing everyones meal/movie.

That would be in a controlled envioronment, but my mate loves his new toy, and if his commute is being ruined by some inconsiderate person, he just flicks the switch, closes his eyes and enjoys the silence! For �20 delivered he reckons it is the best investment he has ever made.

If everyone used "Mobile phone etiquette" then the need wouldn't be there would it?! But somehow i can't see that happening.

The next toy on his list is a device that is able to stop people playing music through the loud speaker on their mobiles. Not sure if there is such a thing around, but i'm sure that if there was everyone would invest, and challenge any legal moves to make these ilegal :)

[BRAVO1]

What a great idea !.

As for jamming devices in car's, I would only have them working when the engine was on.

For the reply from the person who said, using the phone in an emergency, then pulling over and using the phone with the engine stopped would be the option.

You certainly caused a debate my friend, thank's !!

[weeny]

Hi, all.
United Kingdom: illegal to use, but legal to own. Installation in jails has been proposed.
United States: Cell phone blocking devices are used by federal officials under certain circumstances. Privacy rights of property owners may affect the policy and application of law within buildings. Contact the FCC for permit applications and waivers. For radio communications, it is illegal to operate, manufacture, import, or offer for sale, including advertising (Communications Act of 1934).Blocking radio communications in public can carry fines of up to $11,000 or imprisonment of up to one year.[9] The Homeland Security Act of 2002 may overide the Communications Act of 1934.
If you want to get one, you can visit:
http://www.espow.com/...-security-jammer.html
http://www.jammer-store.com/