FCC Greenlights Prison Phone Jammers: Contraband Crackdown
Published Date: 11/26/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FCC wants to help prisons stop illegal cell phone use by allowing new tech like radio signal jammers to be used safely and legally. This change affects correctional facilities, tech providers, and public safety groups, aiming to boost security without messing up emergency calls. Comments on this plan are open until December 26, 2025, with replies due by January 12, 2026.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Risk to 911 and Wireless Emergency Alerts
The FCC acknowledges that jamming solutions block affected frequencies and, unlike managed access systems, may be unable to allow 911 calls or Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) to reach public safety answering points. The Commission is seeking comment on whether 911/E911 rules should apply to jamming leasees and on technical measures to protect public safety communications.
Deauthorizing Contraband Phones in Prisons
The FCC proposes to change its rules (amending 47 CFR 1.903(c)) so that subscriber operation of a "contraband wireless device" inside a correctional facility would not be authorized by the Commission. That change would let departments of correction (DOCs) and their contractors deploy jamming solutions in prisons without those operations being treated as authorized wireless service.
Safe Harbor for Wireless Carriers Negotiating with DOCs
The FCC proposes a "safe harbor" where a wireless provider would not face enforcement for continuing to authenticate contraband devices in a correctional facility if (1) no DOC is actively seeking an RF solution in that provider's area, or (2) the provider actively participates in good-faith negotiations (or completed such negotiations) with the DOC/solutions provider seeking a lease to authorize a jamming or other contraband interdiction system.
Authorizing Jammers via Spectrum Leasing
The FCC proposes to let jamming solutions be authorized through spectrum leases (leveraging existing CIS leasing rules). Eligible lessees would include DOCs or solutions providers contracted with a DOC, with certification (e.g., on FCC Form 608) that the equipment has valid part 2 equipment authorization; the FCC also seeks comment on whether wireless licensees should be eligible to operate such systems directly.
45-Day Good-Faith Lease Negotiation Rule
The FCC proposes a good-faith negotiation rule requiring wireless providers to negotiate leases with DOCs or solutions providers seeking jamming solutions; if no agreement is reached after a 45-day period, the DOC/solutions provider may apply for a non-exclusive overlay license as a fallback. Parties that fail to negotiate in good faith could be ineligible for the proposed safe harbor.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-16740, Information Collection Being Submitted to the Office of Management and Budget for Emergency Review and Approval
As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collection. Comments are requested concerning: Whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information shall have practical utility; the accuracy of the Commission's burden estimate; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and ways to further reduce the information collection burden on small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees. The Commission may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the PRA that does not display a valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number.
2026-16615, Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions-2026
Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review (Sep. 30, 1993), requires each agency to publish a regulatory agenda (Agenda) of regulations under development or review during the next year which will be included in the Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions (Unified Agenda). 58 FR 51735 (Oct. 4, 1993). The Agenda required by Executive Order 12866 must include all regulations the agency expects to develop or review during the next 12 months, regardless of whether they may have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. Executive Order 12866 provides that agencies may combine this agenda with the regulatory flexibility agenda required under the RFA. To help keep the public informed of significant rulemaking proceedings and meet its obligations under the RFA and Executive Order 12866, the Commission has prepared Agenda entries providing a brief description and summary of each regulatory activity that is currently planned for the 12 months, subject to revision, including the objectives and legal basis for each, and the name and telephone number of an agency official who is knowledgeable about items in the agenda. The Commission's Agenda entries published in the Federal Register are only those entries for rules that are likely to have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities pursuant to the RFA. The Commission's complete list of regulatory and deregulatory actions for the Unified Agenda will be published on the internet in a searchable format at www.reginfo.gov.
2026-16590, FCC To Review E-Rate Program To Ensure Congress's Vision
In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) seeks comment on measures the Commission can take to better protect children when using E-Rate-funded networks, the Commission's progress in ensuring affordable access to high-speed broadband to and within schools and libraries, and whether the Commission's current interpretation of the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) is the best reading of the statute. The Commission also proposes actions to strengthen E-Rate program integrity and streamline program administration.
2026-16503, Empowering Broadband Consumers Through Transparency
In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) eliminates or modifies certain broadband label requirements to ensure that consumers have clear, accurate, and concise information when shopping for broadband plans. Specifically, the Commission enables providers to describe label information in a natural, conversational style over the phone; simplify fee presentation to avoid clutter; remove outdated information from the label; use links or icons at point-of-sale to avoid unwieldy amounts of information that can overwhelm consumers; and eliminate requirements that go beyond our mandate. At the same time, the Commission ensures the labels remain accessible to people with disabilities, and that labels are displayed in the same language(s) used when marketing a service.
2026-16294, Privacy Act System of Records
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC, Commission, or Agency) proposes to modify an existing system of records, FCC/CGB-1, Informal Complaints, Inquiries, and Requests for Dispute Assistance, subject to the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended. This action is necessary to meet the requirements of the Privacy Act to publish in the Federal Register notice of the existence and character of records maintained by the agency. The Commission uses records in this system to handle and process informal complaints, inquiries, and requests for dispute assistance received from individuals, groups, and other entities. This modification makes various necessary changes and updates to accommodate new uses of the system to share certain anonymized or de-identified complaint data with the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) Consumer Sentinel Network.
2026-16298, Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission
As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collections. Comments are requested concerning: whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information shall have practical utility; the accuracy of the Commission's burden estimate; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and ways to further reduce the information collection burden on small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees. The FCC may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the PRA that does not display a valid OMB control number.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-21324, Advancing IP Interconnection
The FCC wants to update how phone and internet companies connect their networks by getting rid of old, complicated rules that slow things down. This change will help modern internet-based networks work better and faster, while still keeping safety and fair competition in mind. Companies and consumers should get ready for these updates, which could take full effect by the end of 2028.
Next: 2025-21346, Air Plan Approval; Missouri; Reporting Emission Data, Emission Fees, and Process Information
The EPA is proposing updates to Missouri’s air pollution rules that affect businesses reporting emissions and paying fees from 2025 to 2028 and beyond. They’re adding a new hazardous chemical to the list and making some small rule tweaks, but air quality won’t change. If you’re a Missouri company dealing with emissions, get ready for these updates and consider sending your comments by the end of 2025.