Authorities act against Illegal Mobile Network Boosters in Vasai, Maharashtra

 

Vasai, October 16, 2021: "Wireless Monitoring Organization, Department of Telecom" (DoT) along with a joint team of local administration and mobile operators, under the direction of Sh. Amit Gautam, Engineering-in-Charge, Wireless Monitoring Organization, has raided several locations in Vasai, Maharashtra. The raid was conducted to take down illegal mobile signal repeaters installed in various commercial establishments. The action was also taken against individuals who installed them as stated under Indian law, the sale and installation of illegal mobile boosters is a punishable offense.

During this campaign, many illegal panel antennas and illegal boosters were removed and notices were given to remove the identified ones with immediate effect in Vasai, Maharashtra.

Speaking on the inspection Sh. Amit Gautam said, "Illegal mobile boosters pose a threat to India’s mobile telecommunications network. By selling and installing such devices, a few unethical people are interfering with the proper functioning of the Indian mobile telecommunications network. This campaign is against illegal mobile signal boosters which lead to call drops and lowering of mobile network connectivity. We have started an awareness campaign through which we are making people aware not to use illegal mobile signal boosters. During the campaign, people voluntarily surrendered repeaters and reported about improvement in network connectivity in their areas.”

According to "Wireless Monitoring Organisation (WMO) of DoT", any civilian is not allowed to possess wireless telegraphy equipment without a license. Installation, possession, or selling of illegal repeater is a punishable offence as per the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933, and Indian Telegraph Act, 1885. Heavy fines may be imposed on owners of several premises that have installed these illegal repeaters.

Illegal mobile signal repeaters have become a major nuisance and are one of the biggest reasons for customers facing network issues like call drops and low data speeds. These illegal repeaters are installed by individuals/establishments at homes/offices/PG/Guesthouses to boost mobile signals, but they interfere with all mobile networks, impacts signal quality and degrades network experience in the entire area. Mobile operators invest heavily in the acquisition of spectrum & network rollout to enhance customer experience however the illegal boosters cause interference with the mobile network. Authorities were called to crack down on these installations and take strict action.

This campaign drive is in alignment with the Government’s vision to educate and inform consumers with other stakeholders. The association aims to sensitize end-consumers about the drawbacks of illegal repeaters. Once the menace of repeaters is resolved, there will be no issues around bad network qualities.

Source: https://dot.gov.in/sites/default/files/WMO%20public%20notice%20for%20boosters.pdf