Ken:
The following from the FCC states it quite clearly:
Sale or Use of Transmitters Designed to Prevent, Jam or Interfere with
Cell Phone Communications is Prohibited in the United States
In response to multiple inquiries concerning the sale and use of transmitters designed to prevent, jam or interfere with the operation of cellular and personal communications service (PCS) telephones, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is issuing this Public Notice to make clear that the marketing, sale, or operation of this type of equipment is unlawful. Anyone involved with such activities may be subject to forfeitures, fines or even criminal prosecution.
Cellular and PCS telephones provide valuable wireless communications services to the American public for business and personal communications. Recently, however, the FCC has seen a growing interest in devices --- called “cellular jammers” or “cell phone jammers” --- designed to deliberately jam or disrupt wireless communications. Inquiries about the use of cellular jammers are often accompanied by comments that the use of wireless phones in public places is disruptive and annoying. Advertisements for cellular jammers suggest that the devices may be used on commuter trains, in theaters, hotels, restaurants and other locations the public frequents.
The Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and the FCC rules prohibit the manufacture, importation, marketing, sale or operation of these devices within the United States (See Section 302(b) of the Communications Act, 47 USC § 302a(b) and Section 2.803(a) of the FCC's rules, 47 CFR § 2.803(a)). In addition, it is unlawful for any person to willfully or maliciously interfere with the radio communications of any station licensed or authorized under the Act or operated by the U.S. Government (See Section 333 of the Communications Act, 47 USC § 333). Further, Section 301 of the Act, 47 USC § 301, requires persons operating or using radio transmitters to be licensed or authorized under the Commission's rules.
Parties violating the provisions of the Communications Act and/or FCC rules mentioned above may be subject to the penalties set forth in 47 USC §§ 501-510. Monetary forfeitures for a first offense can be as much as $11,000 a day for each violation and could subject the offender to criminal prosecution. Equipment may also be seized by the United States Marshals and forfeited to the U.S. Government.
For additional information, contact Brian Butler, Spectrum Enforcement Division, Enforcement Bureau, at (202) 418-1160 or brian.butler@fcc.gov.
By the Enforcement Bureau, Office of Engineering and Technology, and Wireless Telecommunications Bureau.
Ron Morasse
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Ken
From time to time cell phone jammers show up at local party stores - they are
"gag" gifts and not intended to disrupt cell communications... they are
intended as "gag" items and the FCC rules and regulations do NOT apply.
I found one for $29.95 at a local party store - they are hard to find as they
sell out quickly and most of the party stores buy 'lots' of stuff and never
know when they will get some more - the package said to be sure and put this
in your pocket at the next office party and watch the fun when someone tries
to use their phone.
Its called a phone zonker - they never call them jammers. If they called them
jammers they would draw legal heat - I have seen several versions of them and
they all look pretty much the same and seem to be made by the same company
however the packages change all the time.
About 18 months ago I found one outside of a convenience store that had been
broken into... along with a couple cell phones that were calling the store's
telephone number - the one I found looked completely different so there are
probably several importers bringing these things into the country. The
sheriff's dept couldn't find the address and the burglars saw the deputy drive
by and they fled in several directions and left all their stuff on the
newspaper rack right outside the front door. As luck would have it the store
had an old long range radio and the signal came in just fine - if they had a
new cellular backup there would have been no signal - makes no sense to
install cellular with party stores selling these gizmos.
A couple weeks ago we found another one of these things at another convenience
store - the burglars left it sitting on an a/c unit up on the roof - once
again we lucked out because they cut a hole in the roof directly above the
cellular backup and destroyed it before cutting another hole in the roof 100
feet away and destroying all the other alarm equipment. At this point a
jogger saw them on the roof and called the police and the guys saw the jogger
and took off.
I don't think we can depend on the FCC to be able to do much about this as
these things are likely sold in thousands of stores and by mail order and on
the internet and the logical choice would be to use a more secure backup
method.
Also never call the secondary transmission method a 'backup' because that is
just going to get you in big trouble... always call it 'parallel' reporting.
Customers think the 'backup' is an independent system that works when the
primary system fails. When that doesn't happen the way they thought it would
they are going to sue.
thesatguy
************
IQ Certified
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Ken
An IQ Certified Company has attested to and proven that at the given point in time of the application that they MET OR EXCEEDED THE STANDARDS that are required.
The ongoing education of installers and technicians either through ESA or other accredited courses is the responsibility of the individual seeking training or the supervisors that promote and require the technicians be properly trained and in compliance with all laws and ordinances of the area as well as national IQ STANDARDS.
If as was intimated certain individuals or companies no longer do IQ compliant work but still hang out the shingle than it is up to the ethical companies to police our industry.
If you are an ESA member then by all means sit in on the annual IQ board meeting and see what goes on. Participate and you never know what benefits you will receive.
IQ Standards are as meaningful as the integrity of the companies that subscribe to the principals and tenants of the certification. If you are aware of a company that is posting the IQ logo and consistently does shoddy work, perhaps the IQ Board would like to know about it.
Joel Kent
(Yep, Still FBN Security Co LLC)
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Ken;
I would like to help your readers understand the IQ Certification program and set the record straight for those that do not fully know about the program. As the old saying goes, "You do not know what you do not know." So in response to Roy Pollack, Dusan, GB the Brinks / Broadview dealer, and Gene of Reliable Alarm, I hope this will give you an informed view of the IQ Certification program. As Chair of the IQ Certification Board of Directors, I am proud to speak for the other board members which consists of other IQ Certified company representatives, Public Safety officials from the Police and Fire services and State Regulatory agencies.
First- IQ is not simply an indication of a training requirement. IQ involves training on many levels within the company and from outside the company. All technicians must have training from National Training School (NTS), CANASA or an approval equivalent. Beyond the training, standards are followed on system design, product selection, installation, customer training and monitoring. I would invite you to review these at http://www.iqcertification.org/pdf/IQGuidelines2010.pdf .
Second - I would invite any of your readers to supply the IQ Certification Board with photos of installations that are not up to IQ standards. The IQ Board takes these issues very seriously and in fact would welcome this information and will investigate the IQ Certified company regarding compliance with the IQ Guidelines and Policies. The IQ Board does not rubber stamp all applicants. In fact recently the IQ Certification Board has denied certification to both companies that applied as new and for renewal of IQ Certification. IQ is not just another plaque to hang on the wall. It must be earned initially and continually.
Third- The IQ Certification Program can not address management styles or techniques. However, The IQ Certification Program does have a Code of Ethics within the IQ Guidelines. If you are aware of any violation of these by an IQ Certified company, please advise the IQ Certification Board of Directors so that an inquiry can be started.
Fourth- The IQ Certification program has been recognized by leading associations for its value in helping decrease the occurrence of false dispatches. The Electronic Security Association (ESA - formerly NBFAA), Central Station Alarm Association, SIAC, False Alarm Reduction Association - FARA, CANASA and SIA have all either endorsed and made part of programs inclusion of the IQ Certification Program. Hardly a big scam. Brinks has recognized the value of the IQ program almost since the inception of the Brinks dealer program and we now all know what the value of that was - according to many analysts - over 47 times RMR. Many can comfortably argue that IQ added value to the Broadview / ADT deal.
As every Brinks / Broadview dealer knows, IQ Certification is a requirement and along with that goes training. NTS Alarm Technician Level 1 is required. IQ does not do the training, only makes the requirement as a type of training. IQ does not inspect your work, but will investigate upon a customer issue / inquiry. No one gets magically IQ Certified. The certification process involves among other things the company ownership making a dedicated commitment to the IQ program, appointment of a company IQ compliance officer, submission of an application - yes with a fee, review of the company's application by the IQ Board with obtains information on the company from the local police, fire and state regulatory agencies regarding the applicant company performance, history and license status. I would suggest that any Brinks / Broadview dealer that is not in compliance with the IQ Guidelines for training of technicians immediately rectify the situation.
Fifth - The IQ program has become successful and is one of the few industry organizations that have grown in numbers both in those that are IQ Certified and in its financial health. The IQ program is setup for the IQ Certified Company to promote its certification to the public in its own marketing and sales efforts. When an IQ Certified company stands before a prospect, they have the only certification available that sets them apart from the competition in terms of using standards for product selection, installation methods, client training, and monitoring of their system. The IQ Certified company asks the prospect- "We are IQ Certified, which means we comply with industry recognized standards. Is the other company you are considering? And if not, why would they not want to comply with recognized industry standards and practices?" This very powerful statement makes the difference. As previously stated the IQ program has requirements and none of them have to do with franchise fees or buying specific product. A perception of a “good ol boys club" is misinformed. In fact some have been denied IQ Certification.
Sixth- IQ Certification needs to be used as part of the marketing program of the IQ Certified company. Bringing up IQ in the sales process is the key to turning the IQ program into an integral part of the company’s bottom line. I know that my company has risen to the SDM 100 and I attribute part of that success to the IQ program we have embraced.
In conclusion, I would suggest that the industry take a fresh look at the IQ Certification Program, its guidelines, methods and marketing materials. You will be surprised to learn something - "You do not know what you do not know."
Tim Creenan
IQ Certification Program Chair