FCC DOES U-TURN UNDER COPPS ON CELL JAMMING TESTS

摘要

The FCC has reversed its policy on approving tests of cell jamming equipment, which wireless carriers have long said violate federal law. In January, the FCC issued a notice giving the District of Columbia's Department of Corrections special temporary authority to run tests at a jail, using equipment developed by CellAntenna. The CTIA went to federal court to block the special temporary authority and tests never took place. D.C. corrections officials asked the FCC for permission once again to conduct tests in a Feb. 2 letter. This time the FCC said no. The biggest change at the commission meanwhile has been Commissioner Michael Copps' becoming the acting chairman. "[W]e find that the proposed jamming would violate both the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, as well as the Commission's rules," said a letter from James Schlichting, the Wireless Bureau's acting chief.