Ryurikovich
2012-11-19, 03:37 AM
The Wireless @ Virginia Tech research group appreciates the opportunity to respond to
the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) request for comments
on the Development of the Nationwide Interoperable Public Safety Broadband Network. This
comment is regarding the vulnerability of LTE to intentional and sophisticated jamming attacks.
If LTE technology is to be used for the air interface of the public safety network, then we
should consider the types of jamming attacks that could occur five or ten years from now. It is
very possible for radio jamming to accompany a terrorist attack, for the purpose of preventing
communications and increasing destruction. Likewise it is possible for criminal organizations to create mayhem among public safety personnel by jamming. In addition, it is possible for a
jammer to increase its effectiveness by employing a sophisticated strategy. This is especially
likely when every technical aspect of the target signal is known. An example strategy would be
to target specific control or synchronization signals, in order to increase the geographic range of
the jammer and better avoid detection. The availability of low-cost and easy to use softwaredefined radios makes this threat even more realistic.
Preliminary research has been performed to show the extent to which LTE is vulnerable
to jamming. It was shown that extremely effective attacks can be realized, using fairly low
complexity. It would be in the interest of public safety to put forth an effort to find solutions to
the described problem, and ultimately improve the wireless interface of Public Safety LTE.
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/files/ntia/va_tech_response.pdf
the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) request for comments
on the Development of the Nationwide Interoperable Public Safety Broadband Network. This
comment is regarding the vulnerability of LTE to intentional and sophisticated jamming attacks.
If LTE technology is to be used for the air interface of the public safety network, then we
should consider the types of jamming attacks that could occur five or ten years from now. It is
very possible for radio jamming to accompany a terrorist attack, for the purpose of preventing
communications and increasing destruction. Likewise it is possible for criminal organizations to create mayhem among public safety personnel by jamming. In addition, it is possible for a
jammer to increase its effectiveness by employing a sophisticated strategy. This is especially
likely when every technical aspect of the target signal is known. An example strategy would be
to target specific control or synchronization signals, in order to increase the geographic range of
the jammer and better avoid detection. The availability of low-cost and easy to use softwaredefined radios makes this threat even more realistic.
Preliminary research has been performed to show the extent to which LTE is vulnerable
to jamming. It was shown that extremely effective attacks can be realized, using fairly low
complexity. It would be in the interest of public safety to put forth an effort to find solutions to
the described problem, and ultimately improve the wireless interface of Public Safety LTE.
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/files/ntia/va_tech_response.pdf