The Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA) has yet to decide on whether to recommend the legalisation of cellphone jamming devices, despite the fact that public hearings into the issue were concluded in mid-September.
"The committee looking into this issue still needs to further apply their minds to the various representations that were made at these hearings, before any decision will be forthcoming," says Kotli Molise, an ICASA spokesman.
"Should they resolve to legalise these devices, a framework will have to be decided upon with regard to who will be allowed to make use of this technology and where it will be allowed to be used."
At the September hearings, lawyers of all parties, including companies that develop such devices, and ICASA agreed that supplying, owning and operating jammers is illegal under the Telecommunications Act and could carry a R500 000 fine, two years in prison or both.
The technology under discussion broadcasts noise on the same frequency used by cellphones. By blanketing the right frequency, all incoming and outgoing signals are neutralised and phones in the affected area act as if they were outside a base station coverage area.
Perceived disadvantages include the possibility that criminals can use jamming devices to prevent vehicle tracking companies from recovering stolen vehicles, and the banks` concerns that they could be used to affect the cellphones that guards rely on to thwart cash-in-transit heists.
However, the manufacturers of blocking devices argued that there are certain legitimate uses for jammers. Examples given included the creation of security zones to prevent corporate espionage or exam cheating.
"Since the hearings have been concluded, the next step is obviously to decide on the legality of these devices, but ICASA cannot at present say when such a decision will be made," says Molise.
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