# US town of Green Bank lives under radio-silence laws

2026-08-08T10:53:52+00:00 | World & Diplomacy | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 1 independent outlet

In the mountains of eastern West Virginia, Green Bank, a town of roughly 150 people, bans cell phones, Wi-Fi routers, and even microwaves near its centre. The laws protect the Robert C Byrd Green Bank Telescope, the world's largest fully steerable radio telescope, from interference. The 13,000 sq mile National Radio Quiet Zone, established by the FCC in November 1958, bars new fixed radio transmitters without federal coordination. A stricter West Virginia law prohibits electrical equipment causing harmful interference within 10 miles of the observatory. Staff patrol a 20-mile radius to enforce the rules, working with locals voluntarily.

## Coverage

- timesofindia.indiatimes.com <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/inside-the-us-town-where-cell-phones-barely-work-because-scientists-are-listening-to-the-universe/articleshow/133048642.cms>

Tags: Green Bank, radio quiet zone, radio telescope, science, US, West Virginia
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