​​DoT warns e-commerce platforms against illegal facilitation, sale of wireless jammers

It has been stated that the use of cellular signal jammer, GPS blocker or other signal jamming device is generally illegal, except specifically permitted by Government of India, the department said in a statement. "Private sector organizations and/ or private individuals cannot procure/ use jammers in India."
DoT warns against using wireless jammers

DoT warns against using wireless jammers

Photo : BCCL
The Department of Telecom (DoT) on Monday came out with another advisory warning e-commerce companies and others against advertising, selling or distributing wireless jammers to the general public.
It has been stated that the use of cellular signal jammer, GPS blocker or other signal jamming device is generally illegal, except specifically permitted by Government of India, the department said in a statement. "Private sector organizations and/ or private individuals cannot procure/ use jammers in India."
It further said that it is unlawful to advertise, sell, distribute, import or otherwise market signal jamming devices in India, except as permitted under the guidelines.
"A mobile signal booster/ repeater is a kind of amplifier, apparently used to improve cell phone signal reception. However, unauthorized use of mobile phone boosters can adversely interfere with, disrupt public telecommunication services by jeopardizing the quality and coverage of such services. This, not only cause inconvenience to mobile phone users but can also hamper access to emergency call services from mobile phones, which creates a risk to public health and safety," according to the guidelines.
In case, consumers are experiencing problems with the quality of service/ connectivity issue, the concerned TSP should be contacted to address the issue, the DoT said.
Earlier also, the DoT had warned all e-commerce companies from selling or facilitating the sale of wireless jammers on their platforms.
Currently, only states/ UTs, defence forces, central police organizations can procure (only models approved by Government of India) and use jammers. Examination conducting bodies under Union Government/ State Government/ Union Territory are also allowed to install jammers (from authorized vendors & approved models) after prior permission from competent authority as mentioned in the guidelines.
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