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Do Schools Block Cell Signal?
August 18, 2024
While many people assume schools deliberately block cell signals, the reality is more complex. Between modern building materials and overcrowded networks, multiple factors can affect cellular coverage in educational facilities. We separate fact from fiction and explore real solutions for school connectivity challenges.A cell phone jammer is just what it sounds like. It’s a device designed to block cell phone signal transmission or disrupt cell reception. It creates interference within the frequency range used by cell phones—disrupting communication between phone users and the cell tower.But why would people assume that cell phone jammers are any more prevalent and in public schools as opposed to any other government facilities or private businesses?Maybe because a cell phone jammer was once discovered in use to block cell signal at a school.
In fact, not only is it illegal for consumers to use cell phone jammers within the US, it is actually unlawful for retailers to sell them for consumer use in the first place. Visit the official website of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and their policy is abundantly clear:“We remind and warn consumers that it is a violation of federal law to use a cell jammer or similar devices that intentionally block, jam, or interfere with authorized radio communications such as cell phones, police radar, GPS, and Wi-Fi.”Outside of the occasional isolated incident, such as the rogue Florida science teacher taking matters into his own hands, schools are nor currently using cell jammers to prevent students from calling or texting in class. If anything, it’s actually in the best interest of school officials to maintain cellular communications for safety and liability reasons.So, if jammers aren’t the cause behind most incidents of bad cell phone reception in the classroom, why do schools have bad cell reception? And what can be done to improve signal quality on the school premises?
Cell Phone Jammer at a School in Florida
Back in 2015, a school district in Pasco County, Florida enacted a policy requiring its students to keep their cell phones and mobile devices switched off during class. When this policy change had little to no effect on the student behavior at the school, one teacher decided to take action.Tired of watching his classroom obsess over their smartphones instead of his lesson, science teacher Dean Liptak used a cell phone jammer to put an end to it.According to the Tampa Bay Times, Liptak activated the signal jammer over a three-day period from March 31 to April 2. At first, the teacher’s strategy seemed to work. That is, until Verizon showed up to complain that someone at Fivay High School was messing with its network.After identifying Liptak as the cause of its network problem, Verizon suggested that cell signal outside of the school was being disrupted by his cell phone jamming efforts. Liptak maintains that he only meant to fix the problem of distracted students, not cause problems for the school.Liptak assumed cell phone jammer use was permissible if his intended purpose wasn’t malicious.The school district thought otherwise. In a letter by superintendent Kurt Browning, Liptak was informed of his five-day suspension, pointing out to the teacher, “Not only did your actions potentially violate federal laws, you posed a serious risk to critical safety communications as well as the possibility of preventing others from making 9-1-1 calls.”The Use of Cell Phone Jammers is Actually Illegal
Although many websites actively selling “cell jammers” or “signal blockers” to disrupt cellular communications and create impromptu “quiet zones” in cars, schools, theaters, restaurants, and other places, the use of these devices is indeed a violation of federal law.In fact, not only is it illegal for consumers to use cell phone jammers within the US, it is actually unlawful for retailers to sell them for consumer use in the first place. Visit the official website of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and their policy is abundantly clear:“We remind and warn consumers that it is a violation of federal law to use a cell jammer or similar devices that intentionally block, jam, or interfere with authorized radio communications such as cell phones, police radar, GPS, and Wi-Fi.”Outside of the occasional isolated incident, such as the rogue Florida science teacher taking matters into his own hands, schools are nor currently using cell jammers to prevent students from calling or texting in class. If anything, it’s actually in the best interest of school officials to maintain cellular communications for safety and liability reasons.So, if jammers aren’t the cause behind most incidents of bad cell phone reception in the classroom, why do schools have bad cell reception? And what can be done to improve signal quality on the school premises?