The New South Wales Corrective Services Department is about to end its five-year trial of mobile jammer technology at Lithgow Prison, which has achieved significant results in preventing prisoners from illegally using mobile phones. However, although the Lithgow trial is seen as a success story, the technology still faces difficulties in being rolled out across the state. signal jammer
Since the Lithgow trial began in September 2013, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has not received any reports of the technology interfering with mobile services in nearby areas. The relatively isolated location of Lithgow Prison makes it difficult for jammers to spread to surrounding areas. However, not all prisons enjoy such unique geographical environments. For example, Goulburn Prison, located between Sydney and Canberra, is located near residential areas, which makes the deployment of jammers more complicated.
The Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) and the Communications Alliance, which represent mobile telecommunications companies, have in principle supported the transition of the Lithgow trial into a regular technology deployment. But they also made it clear that this support does not mean a widespread expansion to other facilities. In a joint submission to the ACMA, they pointed out that the environment of each prison is unique and the isolated environment of Lithgow is unlikely to be replicated elsewhere. Therefore, the deployment of jammers for each facility needs to be considered on a case-by-case basis.
