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ACA 2016 Winter Conferencek

14/10/2015


Please come to visit us at ACA 2016 Winter Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana,
January 22 - 27, 2016, booth 505.




The Traffic Cop for The Cell Phone Network

09/09/2015
CellAntenna introduces the CA-CPCR-4G Concentrator/Redirector: latest in cell phone control for cellular providers and government agencies

CellAntenna introduces the CA-CPCR-4G Concentrator/Redirector: latest in cell phone control for cellular providers and government agencies

Today at the CTIA Exhibition, CellAntenna announced the launching of its latest solution, the CA-CPCR-4G Cell Phone Concentrator-Redirector. As the cellular network ‘Traffic Cop’, the CA-CPCR-4G determines which phones can ‘go’ or ‘stop’ on any network, including the connection to any cellular provider’s tower or beacon. The CA-CPCR-4G is designed to work independently of network operations using 2G, 3G UMTS and 4G LTE protocols, controlling any cell phone in a targeted area.

CellAntenna’s CA-CPCR-4G concentrates cell phone traffic to specific tower beacons for security purposes, E911 or cellular network efficiency. In case of emergency or specific legal conditions, the CA-CPCR-4G can redirect traffic off specific towers controlling cell phone access allowing only specific cell phones to work while disabling all others. For in building control connecting to CellAntenna’s engineered Distributed Antenna System (DAS), it allows cellular providers the ability to force all subscribers to connect to a specific BTS or Small Cells ensuring cell phone location capability, an FCC E911 requirement. The versatile CA-CPCR-4G has applications in prisons, police operations, various secure government buildings and other managed access requirements.

It can be used for roaming traffic capturing, airport and stadium control, as well as emergency communication operations.

“The Redirector/Concentrator represents a major achievement in the legal control of cell phones," stated Howard Melamed, president of CellAntenna. “The CA-CPCR-4G is needed by carriers to improve control of existing subscribers, and to provide government authorities with the tools needed to make cellular communication secure."

CA-CPCR-4G is one of several focused solutions engineered by CellAntenna that can be incorporated into CellAntenna’s DAS systems. The Redirector/Concentrator is intended for use only by cellular carriers and government agencies in accordance with FCC regulations.

For more information, call CellAntenna directly at (954) 507-7842 or
click here

Poor Indoor Public Safety Radio Signal Levels Place First Responders and Public At Risk.

17/06/2014
Cellantenna Corporation Urges Local and State Governments to Pass Minimum Indoor Public Safety Signal Requirement Ordinances for Safety Reasons, Immediately.

June 17, 2014, Plantation Florida: At a presentation today to the Fire Prevention Subcommittee of the Fire Chiefs Association of Broward County, Howard Melamed CEO of CellAntenna Corporation, emphasized the need for adequate radio signal coverage in buildings as many First Responder organizations shift to the new digital P25 communication from existing analog systems. Passing ordinances at the city and county levels to have building owners guarantee an adequate indoor public radio signal level is essential. Proper radio communication inside buildings in emergency situations saves lives.

Public Safety radio signals indoors are problematic throughout the country. Often First Responders enter buildings in emergency situations and cannot use their radios due to signals being blocked by the building structure or due to the location far from the radio transmission towers. In many areas of the country, there are no requirements for building owners to insure public safety radio coverage inside their buildings. Passing ordinances by local and state governments who have jurisdiction in these matters would insure that First Responders have radio communication at all times, keeping both the public and themselves safe.

The National Fire Protection Association, an organization that deals with Fire Safety, already specifies the level in NFPA 72 2013 the latest standards proposed.

“ Adequate public safety signal levels in buildings, saves lives “ Stated Howard Melamed, “ It is urgent that our local and state governments enact ordinances to accept the current NFPA 72 2013 recommendations and pass minimum indoor signal levels for public safety radio signals. “

The Fire Prevention sub-committee of the Fire Chiefs Association of Broward County are Fire Marshals of the Broward municipalities that oversee respective Fire Inspectors and Fire Plan reviewers in Broward County. They report important information gleaned from meetings directly to the Fire Chiefs association.

Howard Melamed, CEO of CellAntenna Corporation, is a renowned expert in radio communication technology and has been speaking on the NFPA 72 2013 standards and how they can be implemented to local Public Safety organizations urging municipalities and counties nationwide to implement the newest requirements.

CELLANTENNA GRANTED PATENT FOR SIGNAL DELAY TECHNOLOGY
DEFEATS THE USE USED IN JAMMING CELL PHONES AND OTHER DIGITAL BASED RF COMMUNICATION

Date: 20 October 2013
New Technology prevents voice, SMS and data from being received and leaves the RF signal untouched

CellAntenna Corporation announced today that the United States Patent and Trade Mark office has awarded Patent # 8,543,053 to Howard Melamed CEO of CellAntenna Corporation, for an invention that scrambles packet based wireless communication by using signal delay technology ("SDT").

Different from current forms of jamming that are unlawful in the United States and used around the world, the SDT method does not interfere with radio frequency communication. Instead it affects the packets and their timing relationships essential to digital communication on a wireless carrier - effectively SDT scrambles the message and leaves the Radio Frequency transmission untouched preventing the reception of voice, SMS or DATA communication. SDT can be used to control all wireless packet based communication including cell phone protocols of 2G, 3G, and 4G (LTE / WIMAX).

"The Patent represents a significant achievement of our company," stated Howard Melamed CEO of CellAntenna and inventor of the SDT. "We are excited with our new smart Signal Delay Technology and our continued research and development of products that control illegal cell phone use."

CellAntenna intends to produce a line of products that use this technology along side its CJAM jamming technology installed and working in several countries around the world, and its Guardian Managed Access Service already field deployed. CellAntenna was first to being the CJAM wireless jamming system concept, deploying jamming in a distributed antenna system (DAS) to apply low power levels of cell phone jamming that is highly filtered and controlled so that it only interferes with illegal cell phones located inside prisons.

CELLANTENNA'S TRAINSAFE SOLUTION
DEFEATS THE USE OF MOBILE PHONES BY TRAIN OPERATORS

Date: 14 June 2013
CellAntenna Corporation is helping to combat the use of cell phones by train operators. The company today shipped the first CJAM TrainSafe unit for use in a pilot project by a major rail operator in EMEA, The CJAM-TrainSafe reactive jamming solution is an important new offering that builds on the company's years of leadership in managing and controlling cellular signals. CJAM-TrainSafe helps to stop mobile phone use in the cab of a moving locomotive. Using miniature antennas the compact unit first detects a cellular signal from the unauthorized handset to the cell tower and instantaneously triggers a low power jamming signal that blocks the RF signal from the cell tower to the unauthorized handset. The low power signal that blocks the ability of the handset to establish communication with the cell tower is transmitted as a very short burst and consequently eliminates and health and safety concerns.

CellAntenna is a global leader in the detection, control and management of mobile telephones. A cell phone for many has become an indispensible part of everyday life. Unfortunately, for some, to the point of distraction. To no one's surprise the use of mobile phones while driving has become a contributing factor to preventable accidents and many countries around the world have imposed stiff fines as a deterrent.

The use of cell phones by drivers behind the wheel is unfortunately the tip of iceberg as more workers in high risk jobs are distracted by texting and WEB surfing. This includes operators of trains. A chilling reminder of what can happen when operators of high speed trains are not 100% focused on the job at hand is a MetroLiner crash in Chadsworth, CA in 2008. Thirty four people lost their lives when the train engineer was texting a message, missed a red light signal and crashed at full speed into another train.

Globally, the railroad industry is committed to eliminating the use of mobile phones while operating a train. CellAntenna has been working with rail operators to develop an affordable and affective solution that can serve as a real time deterrent and save lives. The result of this R&D effort has been CellAntenna's TrainSafe solution.

"Finally there is an effective way to ensure that train operators are safe guarding the lives of passengers and co-workers by paying attention" said Howard Melamed, CEO of CellAntenna Corporation. "The CJAM TrainSafe reactive jammer is activated and blocks calls only when an active mobile phone is detected. The short burst needed to block a call is also low power and poses no health risk".

POSITIVE STEP FORWARD FOR FCC TO HELP
CORRECTIONS OFFICIALS DEAL WITH THE GROWING PROBLEM OF CONTRABAND CELL PHONE POSSESSION AND USE IN THEIR CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS

Date: 2 May 2013


CellAntenna Corporation has pioneered a portfolio of solutions to defeat the use of illegal cell phones inside of correctional facilities. Except for the USA, Canada, UK and Australia jamming is the prevalent technology used. In the USA the solution endorsed by the cellular industry (CTIA) is Managed Access. To offer a cost effective alternative to Managed Access, CellAntenna has developed a service based solution, Guardian Service. Contraband cell phones are detected and their unique serial number documented in a system database for future analysis by using a distributed antenna system (DAS), installed in the dormitories, to transmit system signals. A verified list of detected contraband cell phones is submitted to the appropriate carrier for service disconnect (passive service denial).

To facilitate this collaborative effort between the cellular carriers and correctional officials to have carrier initiated service denial a reality in Q2 2013, CellAntenna has submitted a Petition to the FCC soliciting their support. The result of this Petition and other FCC related activities by CellAntenna has been the recent issuance by the FCC of a NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING (Notice) on May 1, 2013. Excerpts from the Notice that are pertinent are below. Please note para 3 which is highlighted below.



"This is a very positive step for the Guardian Service to become a significant alternative to Managed Access as a solution for the defeat of illegal cell phones in correctional institutions here in the US" stated Howard Melamed the CEO of CellAntenna Corporation, "We have been working with the cellular carriers and the CTIA for about four years now on this concept of carrier initiated service denial. A few have recognized that they need to be part of the solution, not part of the problem and we are very close with two carriers to make passive service denial a reality" concluded Mr Melamed.

CELLANTENNA INCREASES PRODUCTION OF EMERGENCY
CELLPHONE BOOSTER KITS IN RESPONSE TO HURRICANE SANDY

Date: 5 November 2012


This week, CellAntenna Corporation increased production of its CAE-750 emergency communication cellphone deployment solution to meet demand generated by Hurricane Sandy.

The CAE-750 can be immediately deployed to connect with cellphone towers that are working, even though they are at a far distance, in order to boost cell signal indoors and outdoors.

"We have increased our production capabilities and increased the hours of our engineering staff to meet the needs of our clients on the Eastern Seaboard who are leading recovery efforts following Hurricane Sandy," stated CellAntenna Corporation CEO, Howard Melamed. "We are proud to work with our country's First Responders and provide them with a product that assists them in aiding the victims of this devastating hurricane."

FEMA, the Border Patrol, Police Departments, Fire Departments and other First Responders have purchased the CAE-750. The unit is quickly set-up for instant communication boosting, and comes with a backup battery system that can operate for over 8 hours and has been proven when used in recovery efforts following Hurricane Katrina and other natural disasters.

The CAE-750 is available on the GSA schedule by visiting www.gsarf.com CellAntenna has also increased its call center hours to keep up with demand associated with the hurricane.

CellAntenna Cellantenna Corporation Announces
ew CJAM-AJD Active Jamming System

Date: 12 June 2012


CJAM-AJD has cell phone detection capabilities and is able to combat 3G and 4G technologies

Coral Springs, FL - Today, South Florida-based CellAntenna Corporation announced its newest system, the CJAM-AJD Active Jamming System. The new model is a portable, multi-band cell phone jammer that provides adjustable 15-100 watts of power, enough to handle any cell phone threat.

The high-tech CJAM-AJD, which is U.S. made, designed and manufactured by CellAntenna, features cell phone detection capabilities that allow instant jamming when needed. The CJAM-AJD's configurations include the ability to turn on only when cell phone activity is detected, making it ideal for law enforcement and government entities, including prisons and bomb squads, as well as others that wish to create a "safe space" through the prohibition of cell phone use. The unit can be used to combat all technologies, including 3G and 4G, as well as for Wi-Fi and satellite phones.

"We created this unit for our international clientele, and the CJAM-AJD is second-to-none when it comes to jamming systems." stated CellAntenna CEO, Howard Melamed. "Our Made in the USA CJAM-AJD compliments CellAntenna's current CPC Cell Phone Control and Managed Access suite of offerings.

In accordance with the 1934 Communications Act, the CJAM-AJD is solely available for the U.S. Federal government and its agencies, and for export to government entities outside of the United States.

CellAntenna Corporation to Introduce New Cell Phone Repeater Products
at Miami-Dade Building & Facility Maintenance Show

Date: 11 June 2012


Miami, FL - CellAntenna Corporation will display and introduce its latest LTE Portable Cell Phone Repeater solutions for emergencies at the Miami-Dade Building & Facility Maintenance Show in Miami, Florida on June 6th and 7th, 2012.

The CAE750-ALPHA and CAE750-BRAVO are cell phone repeater systems specifically designed for clients dealing with emergencies. The CAE750-ALPHA is customized for corporations and entities that require emergency cell phone service, particularly for hurricane preparedness and communication after disaster strikes.

"We are pleased to offer our emergency solutions to the building and facility managers in South Florida. These individuals are accustomed to severe weather and natural disasters affecting their regular operations, which is why we designed our systems to cater to these scenarios" stated CellAntenna CEO, Howard Melamed.

Both of the units allow for rapid deployment of cell phone signal in emergencies and rely on a back-up battery system that offers up to 8 hours of power during outages. CellAntenna's CAE 750 ALPHA and CAE 750 BRAVO models are both designed based on a 5-band repeater system that the company plans to rollout later this summer

Both of these cell phone repeater models are available on the CellAntenna Corporation GSA Schedule.

Cell Phones Cannot Crash Airplanes
CellAntenna Says FAA is Wrong

Date: 23 March 2012


Coral Springs, FL - CellAntenna's CEO contested that cell phones do not interfere with airplane navigational equipment, and cell phone use during takeoffs and landings cannot crash airplanes.

FAA rules dictate that airlines force passengers to turn off cell phones during takeoffs and landings because of interference problems with navigational equipment. This ruling went into effect when tower operators complained that cell phone use on airplanes was generating havoc on systems, as cell phones contacted more than one tower and caused interference. Older models of cell phones, like cell bag phones, emitted larger transmissions. This has been corrected in this century, as cellular carrier software has experienced upgrades and small, low- energy pocket and smart phones have become prevalent. The FAA has not updated its rules to accommodate such cell phone progression.

"It's ridiculous that Flight Attendants, who are not engineers, and have no knowledge of engineering make-up of planes, tell passengers to turn off their cell phone because it interferes with navigational equipment," stated Howard Melamed, CEO of CellAntenna. "It frightens passengers and it is unnecessary. If the FAA was right, and cell phones were dangerous, why would they even allow them on airplanes? There are reasons for keeping a cell phone off before takeoff and landing, which include making sure attention is given to safety procedures and for common courtesy. However, since it's almost impossible to make a call above 3500 feet, let alone at cruising altitude, keeping the cell phone on will ultimately only drain battery as it tries to reach a tower with which it cannot communicate".

Melamed further states that CellAntenna engineers and manufactures cell phone detection equipment that is used by law enforcement on trains, in correctional facilities, and can also be used on planes, but to date no inquiries have ever been received on behalf of an airline or the FAA. "If this were truly the issue, we would know about it."

CA WIRELESS ANNOUNCES
4G LTE UPGRADE PROGRAM FOR EXISTING CELL PHONE SIGNAL BOOSTER SYSTEMS

Date: 19 March 2012


CORAL SPRINGS, FL - CA Wireless, a division of CellAntenna Corporation, has announced that it has begun implementation of a 4G LTE upgrade program for all existing cell phone signal booster for in-building DAS systems.

The upgrade is a fast, efficient and affordable solution that meets the demands of customers around the world. The 4G LTE upgrade can be integrated into existing in-building (DAS) Digital Antenna Systems.

CA Wireless provides customized engineering solutions in buildings where cell phone service does not exist.

Although private individuals possess cell phones that are outfitted with 4G LTE capabilities, users are rarely able to access the full technology capabilities of the network as a result of non- implementation of technology in rural areas or large buildings. The 4G LTE upgrade provides a custom-engineered solution designed by CA Wireless engineers, who are able to anticipate current and future wireless requirements.

The 4G LTE upgrade results in seamless voice and data communication that delivers timely and accurate information accessible anywhere, enabling increased response time and maximized operational efficiency for businesses and organizations. Additionally, the upgrade provides easier access to security and emergency services in compliance with nationwide public safety codes.

The 4G LTE upgrade is applicable to the following industries: Hotels, Hospitals, Residential High- Rise Construction, Public Safety & Security, Higher Education, and Public and Private Enterprise.

About CA Wireless: CA Wireless delivers logistical communication solutions through the implementation of cutting- edge RF technology domestically and internationally. The company provides engineered hardware and software solutions for public and private enterprises and organizations. CA Wireless is a division of CellAntenna Corporation, an international systems aggregator with offices in the U.S. and Europe. Users looking for more information on the LTE upgrade can utilize the CA Wireless dedicated toll-free line at (877) 401-1944, or email LTE@cawireless.com

More information is available at http://cawireless.com/index.php?id=lte

read online

CEO of CellAntenna to Give Keynote Address
on Expanding Business Overseas at the Export Trade Fair and Conference in Tampa.

Date: 13 September 2011
Topic: "The World Is Flat: Expanding your Small Business Overseas."

Export and Matchmaker Trade Fair and Conference

--(BUSINESS WIRE)--What: Howard Melamed, CEO and President of CellAntenna Corporation, Author of the book The Science of Opportunity, will be speaking at the upcoming Export and Matchmaker Trade Fair and Conference being held September 14, 2011 in Tampa Florida. The event is being sponsored by U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of International Trade Florida District Export Council, U.S. Department of Commerce, Commercial Service and the Florida Small Business Development Center Network.

Mr. Melamed is the recipient of the 2010 Export Achievement Award from the United States Department of Commerce. Mr. Melamed's address will highlight how our nation's small businesses can expand by boosting manufacturing in America and selling their products overseas. CellAntenna has been exporting American products including cell phone signal boosters and cell phone control systems. Mr. Melamed has successfully grown CellAntenna into an exporter to more than 38 countries.

Who: Howard Melamed, CEO and president of CellAntenna Corporation, a multinational telecommunications company, is an expert in cellular technology. He is a frequent speaker at conferences around the world.

Where: Wyndham Tampa Westshore Hotel 700 North Westshore Boulevard Tampa, Florida 33609 (813) 289-8200

When: Howard Melamed will be speaking on Wednesday, September 14, 2011 at 12:45 PM.

read online

CellAntenna Files Petition at the FCC
to Get Illegal Cell Phones Found in Prisons Turned off by Cell Phone Carriers

Date: 07 September 2011
Rule Change Facilitates Cooperation between Cell Phone Carriers and Law Enforcement: Essential to Solve the Problem of Cell Phones In Prisons

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CellAntenna Corporation announced that they have filed a petition to have illegal cell phones in a prison that are electronically detected and identified, unsubscribed by the cellular carriers. The petition requests that the FCC define rules for how law enforcement and cellular carriers can help curtail the illegal use of cell phones in prisons by criminals.

Illegal cell phones in prisons are a security threat to law enforcement and the general public. This position will no doubt be confirmed by a report due out this week by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). All too often the inmate obtains a smuggled cell phone and uses it to continue their crime behind bars. No matter how vigilant correctional officers are the infiltration of cell phones has escalated to pandemic proportions - with hundreds of thousands of cell phones found annually in our nation's prisons. Although jamming technology would be the most cost effective way to solve the problem, current laws prevent its deployment. Other methods including managed access can be easily defeated and are unaffordable for local and state departments of corrections.

CellAntenna has perfected an affordable and practical technology to stem the problem. CellAntenna's Guardian Service detects and identifies individual cell phones and the carriers they are attached to in a targeted area and creates a simple list that can be sent to the carriers by the prison authorities. The carrier has only to unsubscribe the cell phone from their system rendering the illegal device useless. The petition filed recognizes that the carrier cooperation is essential to effectively fight the problem illegal cell phones found in prisons.

"In our discussions cellular service providers expressed their desire to help solve the problem of illegal cell phones in the prisons," stated Howard Melamed CEO of CellAntenna Corp. "Having the FCC provide the framework, by way of our petition assists the carriers and law enforcement officers in protecting the public by thwarting the illegal use of cell phones by criminals."

CellAntenna in cooperation with Department of Corrections around the country has tested the Guardian Service solution and can attest to the amount of illegal cell phones found in prisons and their specific details.

For more information or interviews please contact Priscilla Doyle at (954) 340 7053 ext. 2203.

read online

CellAntenna Introduces Cell Phone Detection System
to Prevent Passenger Train and Public Transportation Accidents

Date: 28 May 2010
CORAL SPRINGS, Fla.--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--CellAntenna, experts in combating cell phone threats, has introduced a new cell phone detection solution designed to prevent accidents caused by locomotive engineers, bus drivers and other heavy equipment operators making calls or sending text messages while on the job. The new CJAM Cell Phone TrainAlert (CJAM-TA) solution proactively alerts authorities or dispatchers when an operator is using a cell phone in time to prevent major public transportation accidents and save lives.

read more

CELLULAR SERVICE PROVIDERS HAVE NEW PLAN:
PRISON TIME MINUTES

Date: 30 March 2010
By Howard Melamed - Jan. 8, 2009 Cellular Service Providers are selling services to convicts in prison, while at the same time trying to stop the law enforcement from jamming cell phones in prison. Convicts are using cell phones behind bars and the cellular service providers know this yet they are doing nothing about it. Instead the carriers are stepping in the way of common sense and trying to stop jamming of cell phones in prisons.

download article in pdf more

Banning Cells in Cells

Date: 30 March 2010
Ridgeville, SC - They have become a way of life for many of us, but now cell phones are winding up in places you wouldn't expect - in cell blocks.

"In South Carolina they're coordinating escapes using cell phones, committed credit card fraud and across the country they've killed people using cell phones, said Jon Ozmint, Director of the South Carolina Department of Corrections. Officials say they're plenty of unique ways phones are smuggled inside, including being launched over prison fences by cannon. Officials say they're losing this battle. But help could be on the way, today the CellAntenna Company showed off their cell phone jamming technology inside Lieber Correctional Institution. With one click cell phones are useless inside the facility's fences.

"We basically knock out the ability to receive the signal and we increase the noise so your phone doesn't hear the tower," said CellAntenna President Howard Melamed. There is one major problem with this technology; the Federal Communications Act of 1934 only allows the federal government to jam signals, not state and local governments. "So we say the FBI (web) can block a cell phone call but the sheriff can't so we're blocking DC to protect our own self but if you live in the hinterlands you're out of luck," Ozmint said.

"For those of us in the profession we certainly feel this is one less worry we'd have in operating our prison if this technology was available," Warden Mckither Bodison said. Officials hope this demonstration will help connect their call to the federal government to change the law.

DC cellphone jamming demo canceled

Date: 8 January 2010
Trade association CTIA comes out on top - January 8 2009 - 1:39 pm ET | Jeffrey Silva | RCR Wireless News

The District of Columbia cancelled today's scheduled cellphone jamming demonstration at a city jail, but the controversy apparently is not over.

Cellular industry association CTIA yesterday petitioned a federal appeals court to overturn the Federal Communication Commission's Jan. 2 order permitting the D.C. Department of Corrections to host a demonstration using equipment supplied by CellAntenna Corp. CTIA, arguing the blockage of wireless signals is blatantly illegal, went to court after failing to get prompt regulatory relief from the FCC.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit subsequently directed the FCC to respond to CTIA's filing by 8 p.m. Wednesday. The FCC told the court the cellphone jamming event had been cancelled by the D.C. Department of Corrections and was not rescheduled, making CTIA's petition moot. But the agency did not back down from the legal issue.

"Thus, while the commission strongly disputes the legal and equitable arguments set forth by CTIA, we do not plan to file a response to the merits of its petition," stated FCC General Counsel Matthew Berry in a one-page letter to the court. "If the FCC were to issue special temporary authority for a future test, CTIA or any other interested party will have the opportunity to seek judicial intervention at that time."

When contacted for comment, a spokesman for the D.C. Department of Corrections said the decision to cancel the cellphone jamming demo was made by the office of D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty. The mayor's press office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

"No one wants to keep wireless devices out of the hands of imprisoned convicts more than we do," said Christopher Guttman-McCabe, VP of regulatory affairs at CTIA. "Moreover, we firmly believe that this critical public-safety goal can be achieved without the use of illegal wireless signal jamming technology. Interfering with wireless communications within a prison can have serious and harmful consequences. To avoid this dangerous scenario, CTIA is committed to working with corrections officials, technology companies and other interested parties to help identify, detect and confiscate wireless devices within prisons. A solution to this challenge exists, and it can be implemented lawfully with no risk to critical wireless communications."

Given the events, CTIA withdrew is appeals court petition.

Indeed, there are indications the cellphone jamming dispute has attracted the attention of lawmakers in Congress. Whether the House and Senate have any intention of intervening is unclear. Wireless providers appear worried that any policy changes could lead to a proliferation of cellphone jammers that citizens could use to halt annoying cellphone conversations at restaurants, movies and other public venues.

The FCC has worked closely with public safety on a range of issues under outgoing FCC Chairman Kevin Martin.

D.C. Department of Corrections Director Devon Brown requested permission for the jamming demonstration in a Dec. 16 letter to Martin. Brown said the proliferation of contraband cellphones has become a major security risk within corrections facilities around the country and that handsets are being used by prisoners to intimidate witnesses, coordinate escapes and conduct criminal enterprises.

In a Jan. 2 letter to Brown, FCC Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Deputy Chief Joel Taubenblatt said the agency agreed that a narrowly tailored demonstration would "limit impact on authorized wireless operations, while maximizing public-safety benefits." The agency limited the demonstration to 30 minutes.

CellAntenna, based in Coral Springs, Fla., and a supplier of wireless jamming and repeater gear, was to have had its equipment used at a Dec. 18 jamming demonstration at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice before the event was cancelled due to controversy, even though the scheduled event had support of Texas Gov. Rick Perry and other state officials.

"I am shocked that the Department of the Criminal Justice of the State of Texas is canceling the cellphone jamming demonstration at the last minute," said Howard Melamed, President and CEO of CellAntenna said at the time. "I have never heard of Texans ever backing down before from threats and outside pressure. I can only think that perhaps outside pressure, perhaps from CTIA, was put upon Texas' authorities as we saw when we held a similar demonstration in South Carolina."

Melamed did not immediately return a call requesting comment on the cancelled cellphone jamming demonstration in the nation's capital.

Federal law forbids citizens as well as state and local law enforcement from using cellphone jammers, while U.S. agencies are not bound by the prohibition. An FBI agent, for example, is free to disrupt a cellphone signal meant to detonate an improvised exploding device.

CTIA wants the FCC to declare illegal the sale and use of jamming equipment (except when sold to the federal government) and the sale/use of wireless boosters and repeaters.

CTIA seeks to block cellphone jamming demo at DC jail

Date: 7 January 2010
January 7 2009 - 2:05 pm ET | Jeffrey Silva | RCR Wireless News

The cellphone jamming dispute between the mobile-phone industry and CellAntenna Corp. has dramatically escalated, with a high-profile legal battle playing out in the nation's capital in advance of a planned demonstration tomorrow at a local prison to show how inmates' wireless calls can be blocked.

Cellular industry association CTIA today asked a federal appeals court to nix a Federal Communications Commission order permitting the District of Columbia Department of Corrections to host a demonstration using equipment supplied by CellAntenna.

"Operation of such 'jamming technology' is flatly illegal under Section 333 of the Communications Act, and the commission lacks the statutory to authorize violations of this congressional directive protecting the rights of authorized users of the wireless spectrum," stated CTIA in a petition filed at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. "Moreover, the decision to authorize the demonstration - made without notice to the public or affected parties, without opportunity for comment, without consideration of any evidence regarding the potential consequences to legitimate transmission of operating the contemplated technology, and with no exigent public-safety need - is the very essence of arbitrary and capricious decision-making."

CTIA went to court after failing to get regulatory relief from the FCC.

"While we believe that prisoners should not have access to wireless phones while incarcerated, there are other, non-interfering and legal ways to find and take the phones out of their hands," said Christopher Guttman-McCabe, VP of regulatory Affairs at CTIA. "There are several companies that provide wireless detection systems that can be used by jails to identify and confiscate phones, and that do not interfere with wireless communications. As the FCC previously acknowledged, Congress has been clear in prohibiting the use of jammers in state prisons."

The FCC has worked closely with public safety on a range of issues under outgoing FCC Chairman Kevin Martin. "We have received the CTIA petitions and are reviewing them," said FCC spokesman Robert Kenny.

D.C. Department of Corrections Director Devon Brown requested permission for the jamming demonstration in a Dec. 16 letter to Martin. Brown said the proliferation of contraband cellphones has become a major security risk within corrections facilities around the country and that handsets are being used by prisoners to intimidate witnesses, coordinate escapes and conduct criminal enterprises.

In a Jan. 2 letter to Brown, FCC Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Deputy Chief Joel Taubenblatt said the agency agreed that a narrowly tailored demonstration would "limit impact on authorized wireless operations, while maximizing public-safety benefits." The agency limited the demonstration to 30 minutes.

CellAntenna, based in Coral Springs, Fla., and a supplier of wireless jamming and repeater gear, was to have had its equipment used at a Dec. 18 jamming demonstration at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice before the event was cancelled due to controversy, even though the scheduled event had support of Texas Gov. Rick Perry and other state officials.

"I am shocked that the Department of the Criminal Justice of the State of Texas is canceling the cellphone jamming demonstration at the last minute," said Howard Melamed, President and CEO of CellAntenna said at the time. "I have never heard of Texans ever backing down before from threats and outside pressure. I can only think that perhaps outside pressure, perhaps from CTIA, was put upon Texas' authorities as we saw when we held a similar demonstration in South Carolina."

CJAM CEO interviewed by BBC

Date: 23 November 2009
The interview went extremely well. Aired on the November 23rd, 20009





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