The Australian Communications and Media
Authority has made a declaration prohibiting the
supply, possession and operation of jamming devices
which are likely to substantially interfere with
public mobile telecommunication services (PMTS).
PMTS include 3G networks and equivalent services
such as mobile WiMAX.
The Radiocommunications (Prohibition of PMTS
Jamming Devices) Declaration 2011 made under
section 190 of the Radiocommunications Act
1992 replaces the mobile phone jamming
prohibition made in 1999, and follows the ACMA's
2010 review of the effectiveness of that
prohibition. The review found that while the
prohibition of jamming devices remains necessary,
updates to the prohibition were required to address
technological change that has occurred since
1999.
'In making the new prohibition, the ACMA notes
the continued need for appropriate regulatory
arrangements that protect PMTS from unwanted and
potentially harmful interference,' said ACMA
Chairman, Chris Chapman. 'It is vital that people
can access the emergency call service, as well as
receive warning messages in times of
emergency.'
The new declaration includes a definition of
'PMTS jamming device' in order to make clear the
types of prohibited devices. The standing exemption
from the prohibition for on board systems used to
provide mobile communication services on aircraft
remains.
Details of the review are available
here. A link to the new Radiocommunications
(Prohibition of PMTS Jamming Devices) Declaration
2011 will be available on 28 February 2011
when it is registered on the Federal Register of
Legislative Instruments.