U.S. Chamber of Commerce Opposes Jamming Mobile Phones in State Prisons
Business group backs managed access systems over signal interference
WASHINGTON, Feb. 24, 2026 – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce fears the risks outweigh the rewards in allowing state prisons to jam mobile phone signals as a crime-prevention tool.
The Chamber recently urged the Federal Communications Commission to reject proposals allowing prisons to jam contraband cell phones, warning that signal interference could disrupt lawful communications and exceed the agency’s authority.
In a Feb. 23 letter filed in GN Docket No. 13-111, the Chamber said authorizing jamming would conflict with Section 333 of the Communications Act, which prohibits interference with lawful wireless communications. The group argued that jamming “indiscriminately blocks all wireless communications within its range,” including emergency services and other protected uses.
