New Delhi The Department of Telecom has asked e-commerce companies not to sell wireless boosters or jammers, observing that the existing laws only authorize licensed telecom service providers to sell and install such equipment.
“The use of jammers, GPS blockers or other signal-jamming devices is generally illegal, except (where) specifically permitted by the Government of India,” the DoT said in an advisory issued on Monday.
It is also illegal to advertise, sell, distribute, import or otherwise market jammers in India, except as permitted under the above guidelines, he added.
Wireless jammers or signal jammers intentionally jam or block 2G, 3G, 4G and Wi-Fi signals, GPS and other navigational communications by radiating strong radio signals of similar frequencies.
As per Indian law, only states, defense forces, central police organizations can buy approved models and use jammers. The exam conducting authorities for government bodies are also allowed to install the jammers from authorized vendors after getting permission. But, private sector organizations and individuals cannot buy or use jammers in India.
Boosters or signal repeaters help to amplify the signal for better phone reception. However, unauthorized use of mobile phone boosters can interfere with and disrupt public telecom services, the department said.
This not only causes inconvenience to phone users, but can also impede access to emergency call services from the phone, posing a risk to public health and safety.
“It is illegal to possess, sell and/or use a mobile signal repeater or booster by any person or entity other than a licensed telecommunications service. If consumers are facing quality of service or connectivity issue, the concerned TSP (Telecom Service Provider) should be contacted to resolve the issue.”
The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), which represents telecom companies, has welcomed the move. People are unaware that buying, selling, installing and possessing boosters is a punishable offense under the Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933 and the India Telegraph Act, 1885. COAI Director General SP Kochhar said, “Unauthorized use adversely affects telecom services.”