FEDERAL authorities confiscated four illegal signal boosters from vessels moored in Fremantle harbour last Friday.

An investigation by Telstra into major interference affecting Fremantle’s mobile network led to the action by the Australian Communications and Media Authority. The confiscations follow similar incidents in Port Hedland harbour, Esperance and the South-West.

The illegal devices are used to improve a mobile phone signal, which can be affected by overshading from trees, metal roofs, living in a hollow or at the edge of a coverage area.

Telstra area manager Guy Champion says the use of illegal signal boosters can cause significant disruption, including complete loss of mobile coverage, to an affected area.

“Over the past few months our team has detected a series of strong interference signals which radiated out from the harbour for up to 4km,” Mr Champion says. Most people are unaware they’re activity is illegal. “Obviously there could be very serious consequences, and anyone illegally using mobile phone repeaters needs to be aware they are breaking the law and face severe penalties.”

Penalties include up to two years’ gaol and fines up to $165,000 ($255,000 for corporate offenders).

Mr Champion says more than 60 illegal repeaters have been located in the past 15 months and dozens more detected, and there had been a “spate of activity recently”. “Unfortunately there is continued easy availability of these devices, especially through the internet, and they have a serious negative impact on network performance and customer experience in regional areas.”

by EDDIE ALBRECHT