Cellular operators ask e-tailers to stop sale of telecom signal boosters

The sale of such devi­ces are illegal and may attract fine and imprisonment. Moreover, these instruments interfere with mobile signals leading to call drops and sluggish data speeds

The Cellular Operators’ Assoc­iation of India (COAI) has asked online retailers, including Flipk­art and Rediff, to stop selling mobile signal boosters on their platforms. This is because sale of such devi­ces are illegal and may attract fine and imprisonment. Moreover, these instruments interfere with mobile signals leading to call drops and sluggish data speeds.

The association has said these boosters fall under the category of wireless devices under the Indian Wireless Telegraph Act 1933, which prohibits possession of such apparatus without a licence. It said that illegal possession or sale of such equipment is a punishable offence under the Act. The