FCC Issues Warning to Brooklyn Bitcoin Miner for Disrupting T-Mobile LTE Signal
The Federal Communications Commission has instructed a bitcoin miner to power down his equipment after it caused significant interference with T-Mobile’s 700MHz LTE network.
Bitcoin mining hardware can lead to serious legal consequences.
In an unprecedented move, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has mandated the shutdown of a bitcoin mining rig that was disrupting T-Mobile’s LTE network in Brooklyn, New York.
The FCC reported that the Antminer S5, a bitcoin mining device, emitted “harmful interference” through spurious signals that affected T-Mobile’s broadband services. The interference ceased once the miner was turned off. (Learn more: How Bitcoin Mining Operates)
Victor Rosario, the owner of the device, received an official warning highlighting that continued use of the miner could result in severe repercussions including hefty fines, seizure of the equipment, and even criminal charges leading to imprisonment. Rosario has a 20-day window to respond to this notice. (Read also: Who Is Jihan Wu and What Is His Influence on Bitcoin Today?)
Produced by Bitmain and launched in 2014, the Antminer S5 remains with Rosario, preventing the FCC from pinpointing the exact cause of the interference. The agency emphasized that this action does not imply all Antminer S5 units are noncompliant.
The FCC clarified, “While compliant devices can be altered to cause harmful interference, we have not determined if this specific unit adheres to the original manufacturer’s specifications.”
Discussion forums suggest that Antminer devices can have their frequency settings adjusted to enhance performance, although this typically refers to clock speed rather than radio frequency.
The FCC has requested Rosario to provide detailed information about the miner, including the manufacturer, model, serial number, and any FCC certification labels.
Note: Investing in cryptocurrencies and Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) carries significant risk and speculation. This article is not financial advice. Individuals should consult qualified professionals before making investment decisions. The author holds a minor amount of bitcoin as of the article’s publication.
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