FCC to Vote on Prison Cellphone Jamming Rules
Proposed regulations to permit jamming technology in U.S. prisons are set for a November 19, 2026, commission vote.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Telecommunications
Live Poll
Should correctional facilities be permitted to use jamming technology to disable inmate cellphones?
The Federal Communications Commission is scheduled to vote on November 19, 2026, on new rules that would permit correctional facilities across the United States to deploy jamming technology against contraband cellphones. These proposed regulations establish a framework for facilities to block unauthorized wireless signals in an effort to curb illicit activity.
Why it matters
Contraband mobile devices within prison systems are frequently used to coordinate criminal enterprises, facilitate gang activity, and conduct illicit communications from inside facilities. This regulatory move seeks to provide a standardized, legal mechanism for facilities to mitigate these security threats while preventing signal interference outside prison boundaries.
The proposed rules mandate that correctional facilities conduct experimental license testing to verify that jamming equipment does not create signal interference outside of the target facility. Following the initial license, operators must perform a secondary phase of on-site testing prior to beginning formal operations.
The players
Federal Communications Commission
The independent U.S. government agency responsible for regulating interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable.
The details
The FCC proposal outlines a technical path for facilities to deploy signal-blocking hardware that disrupts unauthorized cellular communications. Before active use, facilities are required to obtain an experimental license and perform rigorous interference testing to ensure the jamming radius is contained within the prison perimeter. These precautions aim to prevent unintended outages for nearby residents or local emergency services that rely on cellular spectrum.
Timeline
2024: A study recorded 25,000 contraband phones recovered in one year.
October 28, 2026: The FCC Order is set to circulate to Commissioners.
November 19, 2026: The FCC will hold a vote on final jamming rules.
The Tech Race
This proposal marks a shift in how the FCC interprets the Communications Act of 1934 regarding the authorization of signal interference technologies. It represents a departure from traditional federal resistance to active jamming, aligning policy with the physical reality of widespread contraband smuggling.
The rules establish a permissive framework that allows, but does not mandate, prison administrators to acquire and operate signal-blocking equipment. If approved, individual state or local facilities must undertake the testing and procurement process independently, meaning local impact will vary by institutional adoption.
The takeaway
The move shifts the responsibility for interference control directly onto the facilities through mandatory testing protocols. Stakeholders should track the official FCC order following the November 19, 2026, meeting to identify specific licensing requirements for deployment.
What happens next
The FCC will conduct a final vote on these proposed rules during its Open Meeting scheduled for November 19, 2026.
Further reading
For broader trends in wireless policy and regulation, visit the Telecommunications section.
More information
View the Full FCC press release for additional details on the proposed rules.
Live Poll
Should correctional facilities be permitted to use jamming technology to disable inmate cellphones?
