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PUBLIC NOTICE
     

                         News media information  202 / 418-0500
                                  Fax-On-Demand  202 / 418-2830
                                  Internet:  http://www.fcc.gov
                                                    ftp.fcc.gov
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                              Federal Communications Commission
                                          445 Twelfth St., S.W.
                                         Washington, D.C. 20554
                                                          
                                                          
                                                               
                                                     DA 99-2150
                                        Released:  October 12, 1999
                                                               
                                                               
Office of Engineering and Technology and Compliance and Information Bureau
      Warn Against the Manufacture, Importation, Marketing
      or Operation of Transmitters Designed to Prevent or
     Otherwise Interfere with Cellular Radio Communications


The Commission's Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) and Compliance and Information
Bureau (CIB) have received several inquiries concerning the use of transmitters designed to
prevent or jam the operation of cellular telephones in hospitals, theaters and other locations.  The
Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and the Commission's Rules do not permit these
devices to be manufactured, imported, marketed or operated within the United States.
 
Section 302(b) of the Communications Act, 47 USC 302(b), prohibits the manufacture,
importation, sale, offer for sale, or use of devices that fail to comply with the regulations
promulgated pursuant to this section.  Similar prohibitions are contained in the Commission's
rules, e.g., 47 CFR Sections 2.803, 2.1203, and 22.377.  In addition, in accordance with Section
301 of the Communications Act, 47 USC 301, persons operating or using radio transmitters must
be licensed or authorized under the Commission's rules.  There are no provisions in the FCC's
rules that permit the operation of any device intended to interfere with cellular communications. 
Further, Section 333 of the Communications Act, 47 USC 333, prohibits any person from
willfully or maliciously interfering with the radio communications of any station licensed or
authorized under the Communications Act or operated by the U.S. Government.

Based on the above, the operation of transmitters designed to jam cellular communications is a
violation of  47 USC 301, 302(b), and 333.  The manufacture, importation, sale or offer for sale,
including advertising, of such transmitters is a violation of 47 USC 302(b).  Parties in violations of
these provisions may be subject to the penalties contained within 47 USC 501-510.  Fines for a
first offense can range as high as $ 11,000 for each violation or imprisonment for up to one year. 
The equipment can also be seized and forfeited to the U.S. Government.

OET and CIB wish to emphasize that the above regulations apply to all transmitters that are
designed to cause interference to, or prevent the operation of, other radio communication
systems.

Questions regarding this Public Notice may be directed to the Commission's National Call Center
at 1-888-CALL FCC (1-888-225-5322).