The Intelligent Network Access Controller (iNAC), a key product of the global 2G, 3G and 4G network-infrastructure specialist Tecore Networks, has received a great deal of interest and support from the largest U.S. carriers and CTIA—The Wireless Association. In comments these parties submitted to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) regarding to a Notice of Inquiry regarding contraband cell phone usage in prisons, the iNAC has been discussed more than competing technologies focusing on detection and jamming.

 

This level of interest validates managed access as a solution to the problem of contraband cell phones, as it does not affect necessary and legitimate usage. 

 

Contraband cell phone usage is a pervasive and growing problem in prisons. The NTIA has been tasked by the United States Congress to investigate new solutions. Past solutions have involved such steps as jamming—which may indeed block inmate calls but can also interfere with necessary communications from prison staff, most especially such calls as those made to 911—and detection, which forces corrections staff to retrieve them themselves. 

 

Managed access, by contrast, which is the principle that the iNAC runs on, is the best solution. The iNAC would serve as a centrally deployed system that would serve as a filter through which all text messages, calls, emails and other cellular communications would pass. Unauthorized devices would not be allowed to use the network; authorized devices and/or other devices that would call important numbers like 911 would be permitted to use it. In addition, both call and device data can be logged and recorded for future analysis. 

 

Both regulators and corrections officials can be satisfied by a managed-access solution. Contraband cell phones can be prevented from working, while corrections staff do not have to confiscate the devices. Regulators, meanwhile, would be content as well thanks to the fact that managed access has been found to be legal. Lastly, major cellular networks are satisfied as well; one of the carriers said that this managed access solution displays excellent potential to deal with contraband cell phones without becoming problematic for commercial and safety-related communications. 

 

The possibilities of jamming as a solution have yet to be fully explored as testing in the U.S. has been limited so far; however, the significant uncertainties regarding its impact on public and emergency communications are seen to greatly reduce its acceptability in the eyes of authorities. Tecore (News - Alert) is to hold more comprehensive testing of the iNAC system in order to ensure its usefulness as a definitive solution for contraband cell phone use—including such key factors as the ability of one iNAC system to manage the cellular telecom usage of an entire prison facility, and the ability of call and device data to determine the overall efficacy of the technology.

 

Tecore was in news last month for expanding GSM network of Cordova Wireless