Johannesburg - A signal jammer used to disrupt cellphone communication in Parliament during the State of the Nation address was “too small” to scramble reception on an aircraft or block signal frequency beyond 100m.
This is according to a Joburg high-risk security expert whose business specialises in supplying jamming devices internationally, to places like Afghanistan, where the devices are used to counter the remote-controlled detonations of bombs.
The expert, who wanted to remain anonymous and who runs his business to the east of Joburg, said it would take a “high-powered signal jammer” to block aircraft communication.
“The device used in Parliament was a 120 to 150 watts (jammer) that could cover up to 150m of frequency blocking.
“It would take a seriously high-powered jammer to enforce a no-fly zone.
“What aircraft would be flying lower than 100m? That jammer was not going to drop a plane flying over Parliament.”
This week, State Security Minister David Mahlobo said the signal disruption was an operational error caused by a member on duty.
Those on duty were members of the State Security Agency.
“The operator failed to properly terminate the device and this impacted on some cellphone users,” the minister said.
“A departmental investigation is under way with a possibility of disciplinary action for those responsible.”
Mahlobo said it is within the mandate of the State Security Agency to deploy such measures at major events attended by the president and his deputy, and where the threat and risk assessment justified this.
“This operation was never intended to frustrate the (MPs), the media and anyone who attended Parliament. The result of its not being switched off properly isregretted.”
The expert said jammers can be built into VIP motorcades if they are intended to counter threats. There are many better methods that could have been used to deal with possible threats in Parliament.
“To me it is clear the State Security Agency knew what was coming,” he said.
“Their response to the EFF was planned and the jammer used was capable only of dumping cellphone signals to counter potential threat on the ground. It was too public an area to jam.”
But the high-risk security chief also revealed that signal jamming, although illegal unless used by authorised state security agencies, was “common” practice in government meetings and private businesses. To swamp any incoming signals, a jammer needs to generate only about 2W.
The expert said he often receives requests for quotations from provincial government departments wanting to buy signal jamming devices to be used in high-level boardroom meetings.
“Politicians always use jammers to block cellphone communication in meetings so no one can call or record what is being discussed,” he said.
“It happens daily. The only reason why people are outraged now is because this one was bust.
“Jammers interrupt the signals in an area. As a phone tries to connect to a tower, it can’t because there’s other noise in the way that covers the frequency.”
According to the expert, signal jammers are starting to pop up in private businesses where they are used to “improve productivity in manufacturing and against corporate espionage”.
Despite being illegal in South Africa, a search for the phrase “cellphone or signal jammer” on the internet brought up dozens of sites.
Most were news reports on the devices and sites giving the specifications of jammers for sale.
Many, including hand-held jammer, are offered on a handful of websites. Police have found cash van robbers and truck hijacking syndicates using GPS jammers to aid their getaways.
“Like any other product, I think the benefits far outweigh the negatives,” the expert said.
“However, obviously it is illegal to sell or to use them in South Africa, which is why we sell only to international (buyers).”
Saturday Star