Use of cell phone jammers being regulated

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is working on a strategy to take action against those institutions involved in using cellular phone jamming devices and causing interference in telecommunication network, Business Recorder has learned.
Sources said that cellular jamming devices being used by different entities, including financial institutions, religious institutions, jails, have been one of the major problems to deal with. The authority after receiving policy guidelines from the ministry to tackle the longstanding issue has prepared a comprehensive strategy to deal with the menace.
The sources said that couple of month's back a warning was also issued to the suppliers, installers and users of the devices but to no avail. Now the authority would not spare any one illegally using, installing or selling such devices, they added.
The ministry has received complaints from the mobile phone companies that the use of jammers in the business areas of major cities often results in blackout spots depriving consumers from service. The mobile industry maintained that they have been licenced countrywide right to use the spectrum, but the deployment of such equipment is causing interference and affecting their commercial operations.
The authority may also review the current process for authorisation of jammers and withdrawal of permissions accorded to commercial entities after serving notices to them. It is expected that a separate process based on authorisations in the context of national security will be adopted. Such authorisations will be accorded by an inter-ministerial committee constituted especially for the purpose.
It was also learnt that the ministry has devised the guidelines after extensive examination of the existing framework regarding jammers in the context of provisions and definitions of the Telecom Act of 1996, the amendment to the Act, and the Cellular Mobile Policy, 2004.
A detailed technical study was undertaken based on analysis of the types of jamming devices available and the limitations of available technologies in containing the disruptive effect of such devices to the authorised premises. The policies adopted by other countries in this regard were also given a thorough review. Extensive consultations were also undertaken with all relevant stakeholders. The PTA will take all necessary actions as relevant to the policy measures and guidelines and also launch public awareness campaign.