Mobile operators fined in Kazakhstan for strong prison signals

Mobile operators are usually praised for providing reliable connections, but it’s a different story when it comes to signal strength inside prisons.

Three major mobile operators in Kazakhstan — Beeline, Kcell and Tele2 — have been fined for excessively strong mobile signals at correctional facilities in the Kostanay region, the regional prosecutor’s office reported.

Prosecutors, working with radio-frequency specialists and prison officials, measured mobile signal strength at several correctional facilities in the region. The inspection found that signals from Beeline, Kcell and Tele2/Altel were excessively strong at three separate institutions, significantly exceeding permissible limits.

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Signals linked to inmate crimes

Under the law, mobile operators are required to configure their telecommunications infrastructure so that mobile signals within prison grounds are either blocked or minimized. However, the companies failed to comply with the requirement.

Following the prosecutor’s intervention, all three operators were subject to administrative proceedings and fined.

The prosecutor’s office said the availability of mobile signals inside correctional facilities contributes to crime, noting that inmates have repeatedly been caught using smartphones inside the institutions.

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Inmate accused of phone scam

Officials reported that one inmate allegedly used a cellphone from his cell to organize a phone scam, defrauding victims of 4 million tenge ($7,600).

The phone was confiscated, and the inmate will face criminal charges over the new offense.