The department said it is illegal to possess, sell or use mobile signal boosters by any person or entity other than the licensed telecom service providers.
The Indian government on Monday warned e-commerce platforms against illegally selling wireless jammers along with instructing the general public on the proper use of wireless jammers and boosters.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) said the use of cellular signal jammers, GPS blockers or other signal jamming devices is generally illegal, except as specifically permitted by the government.
Concerned over its open online sale, the department cautioned all e-commerce companies from facilitating sale or sale of wireless jammers on their online platforms. Private sector organizations or individuals cannot buy and use jammers in India.
“It is also stated that except as permitted under the guidelines, advertising, selling, distribution, import or otherwise in the market of signal jamming devices is illegal in India,” the DoT said.
With regard to signal boosters/repeaters, the department stated that it is illegal to possess, sell and/or use mobile signal repeaters/boosters by any person/entity other than the licensed telecom service providers. A mobile signal booster/repeater is a type of amplifier, apparently used to improve cell phone signal reception.
However, unauthorized use of mobile phone boosters may adversely interfere, disrupt public telecommunications services by jeopardizing the quality and coverage of such services.
This not only causes inconvenience to mobile phone users but can also impede access to emergency call services from mobile phones, posing a risk to public health and safety, the DoT advisory said.
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