Are phone jammers legal in the European Union?

The legality of jamming, especially GSM jamming, has been discussed on several occasions within the European Union. These discussions have made clear that member states of the EU neither permit nor wish to permit radio communications to be disrupted by jamming devices operated by members of the public.

It is impossible to construct jammers that comply with the R&TTE or the EMC Directives, which means you cannot legally operate a phone jammer in any of European Countries, even if the manufacturer says that it does comply.

Where could a phone jammer be used?

Cell phones can be disruptive in many situations. Examples of places where blocking the phone signal might be considered:

• Public transport: trains, busses, subway, etc.);
• Restaurants;
• Theatres, concert halls, opera houses, etc.;
• Public libraries;
• Lecture rooms and schools;
• Museums;
• Churches, mosques, shrines and other places of worship;
• Country clubs;
• Sporting events;
• TV and radio stations, recording studios, etc.

What is a phone jammer?

A phone jammer transmits low power radio signals to cut off communications between cell phones and cell base stations. It does not interfere with any communications other than cellular phones within the defined regulated zone.
Upon activating a phone jammer, all idle phones will indicate ‘NO NETWORK’. Incoming calls are blocked as if the cellular hand phone were off. When the phone jammer is turned off, all cell hand phones will automatically re-establish communications and provide full service.

A phone jammer actively sends broadcast radio signals. Depending on the country you live in, the possession and/or use of a phone jammer might be illegal.