Fcc Taking Steps That Would Allow Prisons to Jam Cellphone Signals

In 2021, FCC previously allowed correctional facilities to identify contraband wireless devices and send disabling requests to wireless carriers.[1] But Managed Access Systems (MAS) and especially "MAS Evolved" required formal roaming agreements with wireless carriers so the systems could authenticate, capture, and deny contraband phones.[2]

MAS operators told the FCC they had been trying for years to finalize roaming agreements but faced months-long delays, unreturned emails, and even situations where carriers sent non-functional SIMs for testing. Companies reported carriers often gave less than 24 hours notice of changes, or prisons only discovered changes after systems broke. Agreements included high costs and "termination for convenience" clauses, meaning a carrier could cut off the MAS operator at will, leaving prisons with sunk costs and no service continuity.

On and on they go.[4] So now they are going to get jammed.

[1] https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-divis...

[2] https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-20-791A1_Rcd.pdf

[3] https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/104192908201701/1

[4] https://recnet.com/ecfs/?docket=13-111