In some cases, satellite malfunction or solar flares can temporarily disrupt the transmission of GPS signals. A GPS jammer sends out a radio signals or signal noise with the same frequency as the GPS device, to override or distort the GPS satellite signals. The GPS Jammer device can then no longer calculate its position because the satellite signal is masked by the interference.
Some have suggested that the school could be operating a cell phone jammer, but I think that’s pretty unlikely because of how the signal is described to drop off quickly on entering the school- if a jammer was in operation, there should be a more gradual jamming effect, or there would need to be a large number of jammers covering the campus and broadcasting a relatively weak signal.
Why are more and more people using these devices
It would be a simple matter to install a signal jammer with an operational radius of only so many feet, such that it would encompass the majority of seats in a theater but no more than that. If the theater owner than posted signs at the box office and on the theater doors that cell phone jammers are in use inside the theaters, then people would be on notice that they would either have to get up and go to the lobby to make calls, text people, etc. or they could go find somewhere else to watch the movie if being able to read every single e-mail or take every single call in real time is that important to them.
As the drone industry is taking off, some individuals and groups have started using drones for malicious purposes around the globe. Many companies are watching the trend and are trying to get into the counter drone industry. They have introduced all sorts of drone guns, anti-UAS shotgun shells, attack birds, net cannons, lasers, missiles, radio signal jammers, radio spoofers, etc.
However, LIDAR jammers fall under FDA jurisdiction and they have no prohibitions on the infrared LEDs or LASERs for consumer use. This means speed countermeasure companies are free to produce LASER jammers as they please, and consumers are spending anywhere from $400 to $2,000 to buy these popular items.
Though these kids shouldn’t have cell phones in class in the first place, there had to be a smarter solution, such a confiscation or suspension program for students with cell phones in class. A Faraday cage system might have been effective as well and would not hold the legal issues. Ultimately the school needs to teach these kids to put their toys away when they are supposed to be working.