Illegal Mobile Signal Boosters lead to increased incidence of call drops, call muting and lower data speeds thus degrading service experience for majority of customers in the area
Wireless Monitoring Organization (WMO), Department of Telecom (DoT) along with a joint team from the local administration and mobile operators, raided the Peth areas of Pune under the direction of IES Officer Mr. Amit Gautam, of IRRS cadre of DoT along with Mr Gajendra Mewara, Mr. Rishabh Acharya & Mr. R N Lahadke of WMO, DoT. The raid took down illegal mobile signal repeaters installed in homes, shops and other commercial establishments. Action was also taken against individuals who installed them.
During the raid, a total of 26 boosters were seized, 27 were deactivated by cutting feeder joints and 9 notices were served in the jurisdiction of Farhazkhana police station, Pune Maharashtra.
Speaking on the inspection IES Mr. Amit Gautam, DoT said, “We have maintained a sustained drive against illegal boosters and in 2020 removed approximately 500 of them. We have also conducted awareness campaigns against illegal boosters which lead to call drops and lowering of mobile network connectivity. We started 2021 on a strong note and have already took action against 580 such devices in the first quarter of the current year. We advise people not to use any illegal repeaters as they just not only legally correct, but morally I believe prolonged influence of such radiation beyond permissible level might cause health issues, research is still going on regarding the effect of radiation on health, and installing a Mobile signal booster is like installing a mobile tower on head that radiate multiple times higher than that BTS towers radiate. Further these devices are disrupting mobile networks to a greater extent”
According to Wireless Monitoring Organisation (WMO) of DoT, installation, possession or selling of illegal repeater is punishable offence as per Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933 and Indian Telegraph Act, 1885. Heavy fines may be imposed on owners of several premises who 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/Guest houses to boost mobile signals. These illegal equipment interfere with all mobile networks, impacts signal quality and degrades network experience in the entire area. Mobile operators invest heavily in 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.
