Home and IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge has said that necessary technical measures are being taken to address complaints
from the public regarding disruption to mobile network services in areas surrounding the Mangaluru District Prison.
Kharge said a joint technical survey had already been conducted following complaints from the public about the
disruption. Based on the survey, the concerned agency has started making necessary changes to the design of antennas and
the capacity of the jammers to ensure that the prison’s security requirements are not compromised while reducing their
impact on mobile networks in the surrounding areas.
The jammers installed inside the prison are intended to prevent unauthorised mobile communication from within the
facility. However, their operation was found to be affecting mobile connectivity beyond the prison premises as well.
Kharge said further technical measures were being taken in coordination with telecom service providers to minimise the
impact on mobile network services.
“While prison security is of utmost importance, it is also necessary to ensure that people living around the prison and
other mobile users do not face unnecessary disruption.
Technical solutions are being implemented to strike a balance between these two requirements,” he said. He said
necessary adjustments had already been made based on the joint technical survey and further steps were being taken in
coordination with telecom service providers to reduce the inconvenience caused to the public.