The place in America where Wi-Fi is illegal

Located in West Virginia, the National Radio Quiet Zone spans 13,000 square miles and serves as the home to the Green Bank Telescope. This massive radio antenna is one of the most sensitive on Earth, capable of detecting signals from across the galaxy or even an iPhone in airplane mode as far away as Saturn. To protect its observations, strict regulations have historically banned microwaves, cell phones, Wi-Fi, and gas-powered cars, with potential fines for interference reaching $18,000. However, the integrity of this zone is currently under threat. Established in the 1960s, the original rule book did not account for the modern explosion of technology. Today, the quiet zone is effectively falling apart as nearby towns adopt Wi-Fi and Starlink satellites beam signals from overhead. The 2.5 GHz band, crucial for space observation, has become so saturated with interference that it is now largely useless for its intended purpose. While individual devices like microwaves still technically violate the rules, the speaker notes that the broader quiet zone has already been breached by the unavoidable presence of global satellite networks and modern connectivity. This shift marks a significant challenge for one of America’s primary tools for alien detection and deep-space research.