FCC's Ban On Cell Phone Jammers Challenged

CellAntenna Corp. has filed an action in the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of Florida challenging a ruling by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to prohibit the use of cellular and

CellAntenna is asking the U.S. District Court to rule on whether the FCC can ban the use of radio frequency jamming equipment by state and local law enforcement agencies, according to filed documents.

The FCC’s current interpretation of the Federal Communications Act (FCA) of 1934 prohibits state and local officials from having access to the technology. CellAntenna said the ruling conflicts with public interest and puts lives in jeopardy.

CellAntenna chief executive officer Howard Melamed argues the lives of first responders and the public are at risk in the event of a terrorist attack when using a remote controlled improvised explosive device. Radio frequency jamming equipment obstructs radio and <a = "http: www.techweb.com encyclopedia defineterm.jhtml?term="cellular+programming"">cellular

frequencies and prevents a device from receiving signals.