Bahrain Considering Legalising Cell Phone Jammers

After concerns raised over the use of GSM Jammers, Bahrain's Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has announced the start of a public consultation on the use of GSM jammers and invited all interested parties from within the telecommunications industry as well as the general public to submit comments.

The consultation seeks opinions on whether GSM jammers - devices that are capable of disabling the use of mobile phones over a limited area - should be permitted in Bahrain and, the consultation seeks suggestions on the types of mechanisms that can be employed to inhibit the use of mobile phones in certain areas and at certain times for the benefit of the consumers at large. Another important issue addressed in the consultation is the use of detectors that can identify the covert operation of mobile phones in places and during times in which their use has been prohibited.

The deadline for initial comments is 18 April 2004. Based on these comments, the TRA will produce a report that sets out the principles for the use or prohibition of GSM jammers and detection devices in the Kingdom. The TRA expects to issue an initial report by the mid May 2004, followed by a draft regulation, on which members of the industry and the public can comment for an additional two-week period, prior to the issuance of a final regulation expected in end of May 2004

General Director of the TRA, Mr. Andreas Avgousti said, "As part of the TRA's ongoing commitment to transparency and its obligations to telecoms subscribers, we have begun a consultation process that seeks the opinions of market operators and consumers on this important issue. It is among the TRA's utmost priorities to ensure the rights of subscribers with respect to the availably and provision of services, and we are taking all necessary measures when evaluating the use of GSM jammers to ensure these rights are not unnecessary infringed upon, while also taking account of certain areas or situations during which the use of mobile phones may pose a danger to the public or may offer users an illegal or unfair advantage over others."

To ensure that the interests of all the parties affected by this and related issues are taken into account and that all relevant parties are given the opportunity to comment, the TRA is taking measures to alert industry participants, government bodies, businesses and consumer protection organisations of the start of this process and deadlines for putting forth their views."

Posted to the site on 25th March 2004