Walmart blocking data cell service?

[showcase 66]

I was just reading the thread about wrap pricing per sqft and I read something about walmart in it. Which reminded me.

Last night I had to run to Walmart to get some anti itching cream for my leg (cactus needles) and I stopped by the cell phone area to look at the Galaxy SIII. I am thinking of getting this instead of the iPhone 5.

Anyway, I was talking to the guy behind the counter who is the son of one of my oldest clients. I was telling him about a couple of video comparisons done between these 2 phones. I went to pull the video up on my phone and he just laughed. You wont get any videos in here on your phone he says.

I have noticed that the reception sucks around the store in some parts not letting text even go out but never thought to much about it. He proceeds to tell me that Walmart blocks a big portion of cell signals so that people cant check prices at other stores while you are in Walmart.

Are you fricken kidding me! I then thought he was joking but he told me that this store has been that way for the past 2 years. He wasnt sure how they are doing it but he said he was told that.

I was kinda shocked and pissed off. Can they really do that? I want to say something to the Store manager bu I dont want to get this kid in trouble for 2 reasons.

One he doesnt need to loose his job and two I dont want him loosing his job and then telling his father I am the one who said something which in turn got him fired.

I guess its another reason to hate Walmart.

 

[Pat Whatley]

I seriously doubt Walmart is doing any kind of jamming since its pretty damn illegal. Walmart isn't really big on setting itself up for class action lawsuits. I'd say it's got a whole lot more to do with the store being a giant concrete and metal box.

 

[ColoPrinthead]

I thought it was illegal to jam signals. A teacher got into trouble with the FCC for doing it during tests with his class, I can't find the article. Here is a story about a guy doing on public transit

 

[ucmj22]

I seriously doubt Walmart is doing any kind of jamming since its pretty damn illegal. Walmart isn't really big on setting itself up for class action lawsuits. I'd say it's got a whole lot more to do with the store being a giant concrete and metal box.

are you certain its illegal? I thought I heard of churches among other places that utilized little cell jamming boxes that plug directly in to a 110 outlet...

 

[James Burke]

In my opinion, jamming signals in WM would be self-defeating....

How else are wives supposed to phone their husbands to pick up unmenitonables and other necessities?

My reception in our store has been excellent.

 

[showcase 66]

I know hospitals use it all the time. Here there is one part of the hospital that no cell service is at all. On one side of the door you can call, and the other side no signal.

I can make and receive calls while in walmart just fine. I cant get on the internet to look up that much in about 2/3rds of the store. Electronics and food areas are a guarantee no internet area.

I was in our Walmart about 2 months ago when the power went out. While their generators were coming up to get some lights on and what not, I hit the facebook button by mistake and I was able to read the posts on there. I can never get my facebook to work on my phone when I am in the electronic or food areas.

Honestly, I wouldnt doubt if they were blocking the signal somehow.

 

[401Graphics]

i usually have problems in lowes or home depot

 

[Nuagedesigns]

I need one for my shop!! Been thinking of making a box and having all employees put there phones in the box when they clock in. I bet each person sneaks an hr or so a day on face space

 

[qmr55]

We have perfect cell service in both walmarts in my area so I'm guessing its just an area thing being where the walmart is located. And for the ones asking if cell jamming is illegal read here.

 

[Pat Whatley]

From the FCC: “We caution consumers that it is against the law to use a cell or GPS jammer or any other type of device that blocks, jams, or interferes with communications, as well as to import, advertise, sell, or ship such a device. The FCC Enforcement Bureau has a zero tolerance policy in this area and will take aggressive action against violators.”

Here's a whole pdf of the actual laws, explanations of why it's illegal to jam cell phone, wifi, and gps signals, and the penalties for it. http://transition.fcc.gov/eb/jammerenforcement/jamfaq.pdf

 

[SAR.Summerlin]

Don't know about Wal Mart but here all the casinos reduce cell service or now that there is 3G 4G etc they lower your signal to next to nothing. At least in the casinos because they are so big they just do this by not having any cell boosters or antenna to pick up your signal and relay it.

 

[showcase 66]

A cell tower is about 1/2 mile away for the closest one. so the location is fine. The spots where the the phones work are on the far side of the building furthest away from the tower.

 

[Pat Whatley]

Then call the FCC and get your $1600 reward for turning them in.

My cell phone works sitting at my desk at the shop, it won't work 15' away at the work table and I only get 4G service in the bathroom. I can throw a rock and hit the cell tower. (okay, maybe throw it twice, I'm getting old) My point is do you really think a multi-national, multi-billion dollar corporation is going to willingly violate FCC law just to keep someone from comparing prices? Do you really think some store manager, trusted with the knowledge that his store is operating an illegal jamming device (making him complicit in a felony) is going to share that information with some zit faced kid in the electronics department? One day I may get proven really, really wrong here but this sounds a whole lot like an urban legend.

 

[skyhigh]

My point is do you really think a multi-national, multi-billion dollar corporation is going to willingly violate FCC law just to keep someone from comparing prices?

In the United States of Wm....I think they do as they damn well please.

The FCC.....LMAO, please.

 

[Techman]

cell reception in walmart has been bad for years.
Same with Home Depot and lowes/ And Costco and sams.

The steel structures in the building obstruct the cell signals.

 

[qmr55]

The steel structures in the building obstruct the cell signals.

Ding ding ding, we have a winner!

 

[GAC05]

Humm.
We installed security film on the windows of a new FBI office building here that had some very interesting jamming properties.
We were subcontracted by large US company that does nothing else.
They sent just enough to do the job and not a foot more.

wayne k
guam usa

 

[showcase 66]

Humm.
We installed security film on the windows of a new FBI office building here that had some very interesting jamming properties.
We were subcontracted by large US company that does nothing else.
They sent just enough to do the job and not a foot more.

wayne k
guam usa

You should have said they did not send enough and you were missing one piece.

I am going to call a buddy of mine who works for a development company that usually does more than 50% of all the new walmart construction. He told me when they were building this new one here that Walmart buildings have some funny construction to them.

Plus this one is not a metal building or poured concrete walls then picked up and placed in place. It is CMU block construction. The old walmart was next door and cell service in there was perfect.

 

[qmr55]

There is a HUGE difference between cell jamming using technology and a building structure that blocks signals (whether it be direct or indirect).

 

[2B]

on a side note it is "fun" to go to the big stores and "sniff" the wifi connections see who is unsecured and transmitting business data.