His Majesty’s Prison is enhancing its measures to reduce the illicit use of mobile phones among prisoners, with the introduction of mobile phone jammers projected to occur in the next few weeks.

The prison governor, Lieutenant Colonel Trevor Pennyfeather, has verified that jammers will be deployed shortly to bolster security protocols within the prison.

According to Pennyfeather, "A new plan has been established, and we are advancing effectively. I anticipate that in approximately two weeks, provided the required materials are on hand, the signal jammers will be operational, certainly within a three-week timeframe."

Earlier initiatives to utilize jammers faced setbacks, as prisoners managed to interfere with the system. However, with the newly revised plans, officials express confidence that this method will now effectively prevent unauthorized mobile phone communications.

This action is integral to a comprehensive strategy designed to bolster prison security and deter inmates from employing prohibited devices to engage in unlawful activities while in custody.

My interest lies in understanding the extent of jammers' range and their implications for the public on surrounding roadways. The proximity of buildings at St John’s raises questions about the efficacy of these devices. It is vital to recognize that mobile phones are essential for emergency communications. A more viable solution could be the introduction of pay phones for inmates, coupled with stricter security protocols to eliminate unauthorized cell phone use. Maintaining family connections for prisoners is important. Furthermore, the relocation of the jail away from the town is long overdue. We ought to concentrate on developing better alternatives and appropriate consequences for rule violations.

Carr Seeks Federal Solutions Address Proliferation Contraband Cell Phones Within Correctional Facilities

ATLANTA, GA – Attorney General Chris Carr is urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to take immediate action to allow for the use of cell phone jamming devices within state prisons and local jails. The FCC currently prohibits the use of cell phone “signal jammer,” and that prohibition extends to state and local governments. Yet in prisons and jails throughout the country, contraband cell phones are being used to plan and orchestrate violent attacks and other criminal activity, posing a real and substantial safety risk to correctional officers, visitors, inmates, and the public at large.

“The easiest way to protect the public from the harms caused by contraband cell phones is to allow for the use of cell phone jamming technology in prisons and jails, but the FCC continues to block our efforts,” said Carr. “This outdated guidance limits legitimate law enforcement tools, presents dangerous conditions for correctional officers, and allows for the escalation of criminal networks both inside and outside prison walls. We’re committed to combatting violent crime wherever it occurs, which is why we continue to call on the federal government to remove this substantial barrier to public safety.”

In Georgia alone, 8,074 contraband cell phones were confiscated in 2023, with 5,482 confiscated to date in 2024. Recently, an incarcerated leader of the infamous street gang, “Yves Saint Laurent Squad,” used a contraband cell phone to order a hit which resulted in the death of an 88-year-old Georgia veteran. A gang leader in North Carolina was able to order the kidnapping of a prosecutor’s father via a cell phone in prison. In California, prison gangs used contraband cell phones to order murders within the prison system and traffic drugs.

“There are hundreds of examples from across the country of how a contraband cell phone in the hands of an inmate can be used as a deadly weapon and gives them the ability to continue their criminal enterprise. We are incensed by the length these individuals go to in continuing those activities and endangering the public,” said Georgia Department of Corrections Commissioner Tyrone Oliver. “As attempts to infiltrate our facilities with contraband cell phones evolve, access to jamming technology is paramount in our efforts to combat those attempts. We appreciate the support of Attorney General Carr in our ongoing commitment to public safety and the safe operations of our facilities.”

In his letter, Carr notes that the FCC policy relies on a statute enacted in the early 1990s, years before prison inmates began using contraband cell phones to plan and engage in unlawful and dangerous activity.

Carr further states: “Nothing in the language of 47 U.S.C § 333 prohibits the FCC from revising its position to allow state agencies to use cell phone jamming devices in prisons. In fact, the United States Bureau of Prisons has recognized the potential value of cell phone jammer already and is permitted to use jamming devices at several federal penitentiaries, including at least one in Georgia.”

In January 2023, Carr joined a 22-state coalition of attorneys general in urging Congressional leaders to pass legislation that would allow states to implement a cell phone jamming system in correctional facilities.

Carr’s Gang Prosecution Unit has also partnered with the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) to investigate and prosecute currently incarcerated individuals who are alleged to have engaged in criminal gang activity and discussions regarding the packaging and shipping of contraband items into a GDC facility.

The US Space Force will install 24 satellite jammers capable of disrupting Russian or Chinese communications

July 23, 2024

War. War never changes: thanks to the military-industrial complex, the technology of war will continue to escalate no matter how the world situation changes. Russia is reportedly developing a high-altitude nuclear device that uses electromagnetic pulses to permanently and indiscriminately disrupt enemy communications. Meanwhile, the United States has just announced a weapon with similar purposes but without the chaotic and irreversible consequences.

The US military is installing modular advanced satellite signal jammer capable of disrupting Russian or Chinese communications if necessary. Although the hardware is terrestrial, the US Space Force will oversee the installation and operation. The technology has already completed prototyping. Earlier this year, the military tested the system at two different locations. The Department of Defense has allocated funds to build 24 remote facilities, 11 of which are scheduled to be deployed by the end of the year.

This equipment is not a preventive measure to prevent adversaries from disrupting US communications. Quite the opposite.

"[The terminals] are small, mobile, and low-cost SATCOM portable jammers that can be deployed in austere environments to protect [U.S. forces]," a spokesperson for the U.S. Space Force's Rapid Capabilities Office told Bloomberg. "[The jammer gps will be used] to responsibly counter an adversary's SATCOM capabilities to launch an attack."

"We intentionally designed a small, modular system using commercial off-the-shelf components. This provides the ability to be proliferated, remotely controlled, and relatively relocatable," the Space Force said.

Why it matters:

1. This proves once again that when it comes to electronic warfare involving space assets, no signal is secure.
2. This makes it pretty clear to you that at least China and Russia, and possibly Iran and North Korea, as well as other nations (and some of our allies) have similar capabilities.
3. It should reinforce the idea that if a service is really that important (like PNT), we should have multiple widely available ways to get it, not just through space.

Other things to know:

• Both China and Russia have widely available non-space PNT methods.

In GTA 5 Online, there are 50 signal jammers scattered across the map, and destroying them is crucial for unlocking the best hacker, Avi Schwartzman, for the Diamond Casino Heist. Some of these jammers are easily accessible from the ground, while others require flying to hard-to-reach areas like tall buildings, bridges, or towers.

Here are a few notable locations:

1. Los Santos International Airport: Located on top of the air traffic control tower.
2. Vinewood Hills: Above the stage of the Vinewood Bowl.
3. Land Act Dam: On the southwest side of the dam.
4. Bolingbroke Penitentiary: Next to an antenna inside the prison (this one will trigger a wanted level).
5. Maze Bank Arena: Easily accessible in front of the arena.

These locations require a mix of ground travel, climbing, and some are easier to hit with helicopters or aircraft weapons.

In real life, signal jammers are devices used to block or interfere with wireless communication signals, including cell phone signals, GPS, Wi-Fi, and radio frequencies. They work by emitting radio frequencies that overwhelm or drown out communication signals within a certain range, making it impossible for devices to receive or send data.

Common Uses:

• Security and Privacy: Signal jammers are used in places such as prisons, military bases, and government buildings to prevent unauthorized communications or leaks.
• Preventing Cheating: Some educational institutions may use signal jammers during exams to prevent students from using their phones or other devices to cheat.
• Law Enforcement: Police or security forces may use gsm jammer in specific operations to block communications between criminals or prevent remote detonation of explosives. In most places, the use of signal jammers is regulated.

Pager explosion describes the transformation of pagers into devices capable of remote detonation. This approach is frequently utilized for the activation of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The following text offers an in-depth analysis of the procedures and principles governing the use of pagers in the detonation of explosives.

Principle of pager explosion

A pager functions as a radio receiver, capable of picking up signals transmitted at a particular frequency. When integrated into an explosive device, the pager is altered to respond to an external trigger signal, thus activating the explosion of the linked explosive. The process operates in the following manner:

The core function of the pager is to capture radio signals, enabling it to present concise messages or trigger prompts. In the updated model, the pager is programmed to receive a designated detonation signal.

The altered pager changes the received wireless signal into an electric current, thereby initiating the fuse of the explosive device through a relay or switch mechanism.

When the current engages the fuse, it ignites the detonator of the explosive, leading to an explosive reaction.

Converting a pager into an explosive device usually requires the following steps:

It is essential to connect the output of the pager to a straightforward circuit that is associated with the fuse of the explosive, for instance, an electric detonator. When the pager detects a signal, the circuit is completed, enabling current to pass through the fuse and initiate the explosion.

An attacker will identify a specific signal or number, and the detonation sequence will initiate as long as the pager receives this designated signal or information. This signal is generally transmitted through a wireless transmitter.

The revised pager will be masked as a benign object or embedded within the explosive device, whether in a vehicle, luggage, or a building, which will render it more challenging to identify.

Detonation process

When the perpetrator chooses to trigger the explosion, they will dispatch a predetermined signal to the modified pager using either a radio station or a telephone. This signal can take the form of a simple numerical code, a textual message, or a broadcast on a specific frequency.

The pager, upon detecting the signal, engages its internal circuit, thereby converting the received signal into an electric current that triggers the detonation device.

The explosive is detonated as the electric current travels into the fuse or detonator, leading to an explosive reaction.

Actual Cases

In the 1990s and early 2000s, it became increasingly common for terrorists to utilize pagers for the purpose of detonating explosives, especially in the Middle Eastern and South Asian contexts. Various terrorist organizations relied on pagers to remotely trigger explosive devices, thereby executing their attacks on specific targets. This tactic was notably effective before the advent of widespread wireless communication, given that pagers were small, cost-effective, and difficult to monitor.

Preventive measures:

To avert the potential use of pagers or similar wireless devices for the remote detonation of explosives, a range of preventive measures is frequently adopted.

Utilizing a radio wifi jammer allows for the interference of the pager's wireless signal, which prevents it from receiving the detonation signal and effectively stops the explosion.

Evaluate for questionable apparatus: In environments characterized by high risk or during extensive activities, it is imperative to meticulously scrutinize suspicious items and equipment to ascertain that no modified radio apparatus or explosive devices are present.

Improve the oversight of dubious communications, especially in areas identified as high-risk, to facilitate the swift identification and prevention of the use of radio devices for malicious purposes.

Despite the fact that pagers are no longer in widespread use, the core principles they represent continue to be applicable to today's wireless communication technologies. Devices such as mobile phones, walkie-talkies, and radios can similarly be modified for remote detonation. With the progression of technology, these explosive devices have grown increasingly sophisticated, prompting continuous improvements in preventive strategies.

The term pager explosion denotes a technique for remotely triggering explosives through wireless communication signals. The underlying mechanism involves the pager receiving specific signals that initiate a current, leading to an explosion. Such modified devices have been frequently utilized in terrorist activities. To prevent these incidents, measures such as signal disruption, equipment scrutiny, and intelligence monitoring are crucial.

Recommended reading:

Signal Jammer

Explosions resulting in fatalities, caused by pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah in Lebanon, have triggered a detailed investigation into the origins of these products. This process underscores the lack of transparency in the market for these outdated technologies, with many buyers being inadequately informed about the products they are purchasing.

The Lebanese Hezbollah's bombing of communication devices, resulting in 37 fatalities and approximately 3,000 injuries, demonstrates the significant challenges in verifying the exact link that failed.

The Golden Apollo from Taiwan has made allegations against a European company for licensing its pager brand, which has initiated investigations into the sources of related products in Hungary, Bulgaria, Norway, and Romania.wifi jammer

How massive attacks took place simultaneously, injuring thousands

Time and place of the incident

The incident of the explosion was recorded at 3:45 p.m. local time on Tuesday in Beirut, the capital city of Lebanon, and it also affected many other locations across the nation.

Testimonies from witnesses revealed that they saw smoke rising from the pockets of various individuals, while also hearing noises akin to small explosions, reminiscent of both fireworks and gunshots.

Footage from surveillance appears to illustrate an explosion originating from the pocket of a man who is situated in front of a cash register in a store.

A report from Reuters states that the explosions endured for about an hour after the first blast occurred.

Soon after the incident, a large influx of injured people arrived at hospitals across Lebanon, with witnesses everywhere noting the presence of chaotic conditions.

How do pagers explode?

It is conceivable that a hacker attack was responsible for the overheating and explosion of the pager's battery. If this is the case, it would be an unprecedented event. The triggering mechanism involves signaling, which is a variant of alphanumeric text messaging.

• Pagers can be modified to explode, typically by using them as radio communication devices to remotely trigger bombs.
• A pager is a device that receives radio signals and can receive wireless messages in a specific frequency band. An attacker could exploit this feature to control an explosive device.
• When the pager receives a specific signal, it can use internal circuitry to trigger a detonator connected to the explosive. This detonating device is usually a relay or switch that connects the explosive to the pager's power supply.

Frequently, attackers choose frequency bands characterized by wide coverage to ensure that pagers are able to receive the signal. The use of signal jammers can effectively block wireless signals in certain frequency bands, thereby stopping pagers from receiving detonation signals.

Using Chinese-made signal jammer to stop pager-triggered bombings is a viable defense, especially when the explosive device is remotely detonated via wireless communication. Here is a detailed analysis of how signal jammers can be used to prevent pager bombings:

How pager explosive devices work

1. Pagers as detonators: Although pagers are outdated, they can still be converted into devices for remotely detonating bombs because they can receive wireless signals. The signal receiving function of pagers enables them to trigger explosive devices by receiving specific radio frequencies.
2. Remote control: Terrorists or criminals can remotely control the explosion by sending wireless signals to pagers and using the received signals as the trigger mechanism for detonating devices.

What signal jammers do

1. Shielding wireless signals: Signal jammers can block the radio waves received by pagers by sending interference signals, making it unable to receive the signal for detonation, thereby preventing the explosive device from being activated.
2. Interference with specific frequency bands: Pagers usually use specific frequency bands for communication (such as VHF, UHF, etc.), and signal jammers can lock these frequency bands for interference. Signal jammers made in China are widely used around the world, and many models can adjust the frequency band of jamming according to demand to ensure effective coverage.

China signal jammers All components are made locally

• China's signal jammer industry is very mature, and many signal jammers' individual components are indeed made and supplied locally. China has global competitiveness in the electronics manufacturing industry and is able to independently design, manufacture and integrate key components for signal jammers. The following are the main components of common signal jammers and their manufacturing in China:
• Signal processing chips: Although the global high-end chip production is still dominated by a few international companies, China has made great progress in chip design and manufacturing, especially in the fields of signal processing and communications. Many signal jammers made in China use locally designed DSP (digital signal processor) chips to generate and modulate jamming signals.

Power modules: The power modules of signal cell phone jammer are also made by domestic manufacturers. These power modules usually have efficient power conversion and protection functions to ensure long-term stable operation of the equipment.

Using signal jammers made in China can effectively prevent bomb attacks detonated by pagers. By blocking the pager from receiving wireless signals, such devices can significantly reduce the threat of remote detonators. However, signal bluetooth jammer should be used as part of a comprehensive security strategy in conjunction with other security measures such as intelligence monitoring, physical inspections and public education to achieve the greatest preventive effect.

A series of explosions rocked Lebanon again on Wednesday afternoon, seemingly targeting handheld walkie-talkies. The day before, another coordinated pager attack in Lebanon injured thousands.

Lebanese officials reported that Wednesday's second wave of explosions killed at least 20 people and injured thousands more.

On Wednesday, there were reports of explosions in cell phones, laptops, walkie-talkies, radios, solar systems and fingerprint recognition devices.

Car, motorcycle explosions in Lebanon

An Associated Press photographer in the southern coastal city of Sidon saw a car and a mobile phone store damaged by explosive devices inside.

"Several walkie-talkies exploded in the southern suburbs of Beirut," a source told Reuters. Hezbollah-affiliated rescuers confirmed that the devices exploded in two cars in the area.

Images circulated online showed that the devices that exploded were different from the pagers that exploded on Tuesday and were larger.

The transformation of technical devices such as pagers, walkie-talkies, radios and solar devices into bombs is usually associated with illegal armed groups or terrorists using these devices to carry out attacks. These devices are originally common communication or energy tools in daily life, but because their internal structures can be transformed into detonation devices, they have become weaponized targets in certain regions.

In regions such as Lebanon, which have long faced political instability and armed conflict, many armed groups may use these tools to make improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Basic structure and modification potential of the equipment:

• Pagers: Although pagers are now obsolete in many places, their basic structure is relatively simple and can be used as a trigger device for remote detonation by adding external circuits.
• Walkie-talkies: Walkie-talkies have radio frequency functions and can be remotely controlled through wireless signals. Militants can use the radio function of walkie-talkies to trigger explosive devices, especially in closed or inaccessible situations.
• Radios: The circuit and power supply parts of radios can be transformed into remote detonation devices, receiving signals of specific frequencies to trigger explosions. Especially in complex urban environments, such devices can be used to launch precise attacks.
• Solar equipment: Solar equipment usually has its own power supply and is easy to hide. Their batteries or other energy storage parts can be used to power explosive devices or as a source of energy to trigger explosions.

Using signal jammers is one of the effective ways to prevent walkie-talkies, radios and other devices from being used to detonate bombs, especially in areas where there are security threats like Lebanon. Signal jammers can prevent criminals from remotely detonating bombs through these devices by blocking or interfering with radio communications.

The principle of signal jammer:

1. Working mechanism: Signal jammers interfere with or block communication signals in specific frequency bands by emitting powerful radio waves, causing the walkie-talkie or radio to be unable to receive normal control signals, thereby preventing the device from being used for remote detonation.
2. Common interference frequency bands: Walkie-talkies and radios usually use specific radio frequency bands (such as VHF, UHF, etc.), and signal jammer can interfere with these frequency bands, especially in high-risk areas such as public gatherings, government buildings or military facilities.
3. Controllable range: The interference range of the signal jammer can be adjusted as needed. Some devices can cover a range of hundreds of meters or even kilometers, which is suitable for the protection of specific areas.

Using both fixed and mobile signal wifi jammer in sensitive locations and mobile fleets can cover more potential threat areas and improve protection efficiency. Before deploying signal jammers, intelligence monitoring and frequency detection can be used to identify the communication frequency bands commonly used by criminals to ensure that the jammer can accurately block the relevant signals. Security personnel need to undergo special training to learn how to use and deploy signal jammers and how to respond quickly in emergency situations. At the same time, technical support and maintenance of the equipment are also very important to ensure that it plays a role at critical moments.

Signal jammers can effectively prevent criminals from using wireless devices such as walkie-talkies and radios to remotely detonate bombs, especially in areas with security threats like Lebanon. However, cell phone jammer should be used as part of a comprehensive security strategy, combined with other preventive measures such as intelligence monitoring, searches and physical security protection to minimize threats.

"Prior to this incident, I had not paid much attention to signal jammers," Robinson remarked, reminiscing about a June event when a thief's signal jammer hindered police communication during a burglary. The device was located in the back seat of the perpetrator's vehicle and was capable of disrupting signals over a distance of one mile.

Sheriff warns of thieves using "signal jammer" devices to disarm cameras, alarms

Signal jammers, which are diminutive electronic devices intended to obstruct wireless communications, have become a significant concern for law enforcement. Sheriff Noah Robinson recently testified before an Indiana study committee about the potential dangers associated with these devices.

While the precise name of the device has not been officially confirmed by authorities, it is acknowledged to interfere with Wi-Fi and other radio frequencies, posing significant risks. The use of signal jammers is forbidden in prisons because of their disruptive effects on communication, yet they can still be found for sale on the internet.

According to Robinson, the presence of these devices grants burglars a considerable edge, as the existing technology is rendered ineffective. He raised concerns that the implications of these devices could extend to the security of hospitals, law enforcement agencies, and airports, and may be exploited for terrorist purposes.

Presently, federal regulations impose restrictions on the use of these devices, yet local law enforcement remains confronted with challenges. Robinson recommended that lawmakers establish a criminal offense for the importation and utilization of signal cell phone jammer, highlighting the importance of implementing harsher penalties.

As the conversation progresses, there is an increasing call for the establishment of new legislation to officially regulate signal jammers, thereby ensuring the protection of critical communication infrastructures.

INDIANAPOLIS — Vanderburgh County Sheriff Noah Robinson testified at the state Capitol Tuesday about a local crime that may need new legislation.

In June, two people allegedly used a signal jammer to burglarize a home in northern Vanderburgh County.

"This device is designed to interfere with Wi-Fi and cellular signals, and it is illegal under federal law to use it," Robinson told reporters at the time. "Once activated, cameras and other security equipment that rely on Wi-Fi or cellular signals cease to function."

Evansville Republican State Rep. Wendy McNamara said the crime made her realize they needed to address the problem.

She chaired Tuesday's Interim Study Committee on Corrections and Criminal Law and invited Robinson to speak at the meeting. McNamara said Indiana does not have a law regarding intentional interference with communications, even though it is a federal crime to use the technology.

During his testimony, Robinson said he had never really thought about the impact signal jammers could have on law enforcement until someone found the device in a car in Vanderburgh County.

These devices give thieves a real advantage when they commit burglary

Gear like Ring doorbells, alarm sensors and cellular backups that alert police to intrusions can all be rendered ineffective by jammers, he said.

After discovering the jammers in June, Robinson said, he went back to his office and sat down to think about the possibilities. He then sent a draft law to McNamara for her consideration.

“We’re frustrated because we can charge these people with burglary,” he said, “but there’s really no statute in place, including the state’s anti-terrorism statute, that addresses these signal jammers in any way.”

Robinson asked the committee to consider legislation in Indiana that would make it a crime to import jamming devices. He recommended stiff penalties for such devices that would be based on how they’re used.

“These are illegal devices, but they’re coming to us all the time,” he said. “I can go online and buy one right now. They’re not hard to buy.”

McNamara said in a news release that she’s concerned about the threat jammers pose to public safety. "These jamming devices can mean victims can't call 911 for help or access their security cameras. We want to close any loopholes in state law to ensure criminals are held accountable," she said. "That's why I will continue to work with the Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Office and other local law enforcement to find a legislative solution to bring forward in the upcoming legislative session."

As a parent, are you struggling to manage your child's screen time?

A resident could face six months in jail for unknowingly using a signal wifi jammer to disrupt phone and mobile internet service in his neighborhood.

But surprisingly, his actions were not motivated by malice. He simply wanted to stop his teenage children from using their mobile devices to surf the internet after bedtime. Since the lockdown due to Covid-19 was implemented. After consulting internet forums, the father decided that a jammer was the best solution to stop his children's excessive screen use. His children were indeed addicted to social networks and other apps, and the aim was to prevent his children from surfing the internet on their smartphones before bedtime.