If you want to be disconnected from life as you know it for two years in a prison cell with little cell phone coverage, then go ahead - make ACMA’s day and operate or even just own an unlicensed mobile phone repeater.

A prison sentence is but one of the ugly sides of unlicensed mobile phone repeaters, with the other big one being interference to mobile phone networks, including emergency call services.

ACMA is the Australian Communications and Media Authority, with its Chairman, Chris Chapman, stating: “Australian consumers face dangers in purchasing unlicensed mobile phone repeaters online, and need to be aware of the activities of unscrupulous internet-based suppliers”.

ACMA remind us all that ‘a repeater is a fixed transmitting device that may be used in mobile networks. It is designed to regenerate or replicate a mobile signal’, and that ‘mobile carriers regularly use repeaters as part of their ordinary network management. However, when used without a carrier's permission, repeaters have the capacity to cause substantial interference to the cellular network and may have an impact on mobile services, including access to emergency call services.’

A licensed mobile phone repeater operates within spectrum licensed to telecommunications carriers Telstra, Optus and Vodafone.

ACMA says that to lawfully operate a repeater, ‘mobile customers must have written permission from their carrier under a third party arrangement’.

The authority says it is ‘aware that certain overseas-based internet traders (often appearing to be located in Australia) have been informing consumers that anyone in Australia can use repeaters 'legally'. This is not correct. Only the holder of an applicable spectrum or apparatus licence is permitted to use or authorise the use of repeaters.’

And as noted above, the penalty is harsh. ‘It is an offence under the Radiocommunications Act 1992 (the Act) to operate an unlicensed radiocommunications device, or possess this device for the purpose of operation. A person found guilty of this offence may be imprisoned for two years for each offence.’

Body corporates are in big danger too, if they flout the law, with body corporates liable of receiving ‘a penalty of up to $255,000 (1,500 penalty units) per offence (sections 46 and 47 of the Act). Other penalties may apply, such as the interference offence provisions at Part 4.2 of the Act.’

With ACMA and NSW Fair Trading working together, we have been informed that, on 16 April 16, 2015, NSW Fair Trading served a cease and desist order on the largest internet supplier of repeaters, Mobile Repeaters Australia (MRA).

NSW Fair Trading Commissioner Rod Stowe said: “Traders like MRA are keeping consumers in the dark and misinformed about the necessary licensing requirements for using mobile repeater devices.

Chapman added: “Consumers need to be aware of the dangers of using these poorly made and non-compliant devices. By selling these second-rate mobile phone repeaters, traders are putting at risk the whole community for the sake of their own financial gain.

“Contrary to the misinformation spread by some overseas-based internet traders, mobile phone repeaters cannot be used in Australia without written authorisation from your carrier,’ concluded Chapman.

So, be warned. Sale of these repeaters by MRA exposes Australian consumers to the risk of being fined or prosecuted by the ACMA. Further, consumers may suffer considerable financial detriment in purchasing a repeater which cannot be used legally for its intended purpose.

If you want to to improve mobile phone reception at your home, or office, ACMA recommends that ‘you speak with your carrier, as a number of providers have products available that can be legally used to improve mobile network coverage.’

Below is ACMA’s infographic on the topic, inspired by Clint Eastwood’s famous western, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.