FCC to Vote on Prison Cellphone Jamming Rules

The Federal Communications Commission will hold a vote on November 19 to determine whether prisons can license equipment that blocks cellular signals. Chairman Brendan Carr announced the schedule, signaling a shift in how the agency handles radiofrequency interference in correctional facilities. The proposal would grant specific licenses to jails and prisons, allowing them to block inmate phone use legally.

Currently, radiofrequency jammers are mostly banned under Section 333 of the Communications Act of 1934. Carr noted that only a few federal facilities have historically been permitted to use this technology. He argued that the current regulatory gap allows contraband phones to flood the prison system. In a statement, Carr said, "For years, thousands upon thousands of contraband cellphones have been pouring into prisons, and some of the worst possible offenders have been using them to order hits, coordinate violent gang activity, and aid criminal enterprises."

The proposed rules outline two licensing paths for entities seeking to install jamming equipment. Applicants must meet technical standards and undergo testing to ensure their solutions do not create harmful interference outside designated areas. This process includes initial testing under an experimental license and subsequent on-site testing before operations begin. Jamming would be restricted to a Commission-authorized containment area where wireless device operation is prohibited.

Carriers, FirstNet, public safety coordinators, and 911 authorities must receive advance notice of on-site testing. Nearby communities would also be notified before deployment. Commissioner Anna Gomez previously suggested starting with a pilot program to study effects on surrounding areas. She expressed concern about unintended consequences, stating, "While the problem we are trying to address is of critical importance, I worry about the potential unintended consequences of permitting jamming by non-federal actors and permitting jamming equipment to formally enter the American market."

Support for the change comes from several state officials. Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin and Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr attended the announcement event. Griffin and Carr have long pushed for regulatory changes to support law enforcement efforts against prison gang activity. The move aligns with legislative efforts in Congress, including the Cellphone Jamming Reform Act of 2025 introduced last year by Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton.

Some incarcerated journalists argue the push stems from a desire to limit their reporting. They claim the technology is being adopted to prevent them from sending timely reports on civil rights violations. These journalists point to the 2024 Department of Justice investigation into Georgia prisons, which found horrific and inhumane conditions after evidence was initially transferred through contraband phones. The FCC vote will finalize the regulatory framework for these devices.

The agency will proceed with the vote as scheduled on November 19. The decision will determine if state and local prisons can formally enter the market for jamming equipment. The outcome will set the precedent for how correctional facilities manage wireless communications in the future.