Cell Phone Scramblers

There are, broadly speaking, two classifications for cell phone scramblers, both of which are presently illegal, at least in the United States. Generic or normal cell phone scramblers work by jamming the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum on which calls are carried. This is done through the emission of a low-power signal on these same wavelengths that effectively prevents units from communicating with cell towers.

More advanced cell phone scramblers, often referred to as "smart" scramblers, take a more parasitic approach. Instead of gumming up an entire portion of the spectrum, these units operate discretely by blocking calls to the units themselves. How exactly does a scrambler know when a handset is about to receive a call? The answer is that there's a built-in delay between the initiation of a call and the moment when speaking begins. In that window, smart scramblers go to work.

The Debate about Cell Phone Scramblers

Arguments rage on both sides about the legality of cell phone scramblers. Museum curators, cinema owners, and theater impresarios obviously have a vested interest in keeping them legal, for the performances that take place inside these venues may depend on them. Naturally, cellular carriers, who pay a hefty fee for the rights to these frequencies, have a different opinion. In their minds, they are being impeded from conducting their everyday business.

The debate is just as strong on the issue of leakage, which means the unwanted effect of scrambling in unsanctioned areas. Just what defines a performance space right now remains open to interpretation. Businesses within the jamming radius of cinemas and theaters have legitimate gripes about interference, especially if their customers expect to be able to use their wireless devices once inside these stores. For now, wireless carriers have come out on top as jammers have been declared illegal (at least for private consumers) in most countries.