Jamming authorized:

Sat Jun 22 21:08:21 UTC 2002

Wouldn't count on that cell phone in Canada.....

>Jamming of radio signals authorized
>
>Special permission for RCMP, military
>restricted to G8 summit, Pope's visit
>
>By PAUL WALDIE
>
>Friday, June 21, 2002  Print Edition, Page A1
>
>TORONTO -- The Canadian military and the RCMP have been given special
>authorization to jam radio and cellphone signals during the G8 Summit
>next week and the Pope's visit to Canada in July.
>
>It's the first time police or the military have ever been allowed to
>block signals, an official said.
>
>The authorization allows the Department of National Defence and the RCMP
>to use jamming devices around Calgary and Kananaskis, Alta., from June
>17 to June 29 for the summit of leaders from Group of Eight nations.
>They will have the same power to jam signals in Toronto from July 16 to
>July 31 -- the Pope is scheduled to arrive in Canada July 23 and depart
>July 29, with three Toronto appearances in between.
>
>RCMP spokesman Corporal Benoît Desjardins said jamming is an important
>part of the security measures for both events.
>
>"The RCMP must ensure the safety and security of those attending," he
>said yesterday.
>
>"It could be used, for example, if there was threat of a detonation of
>some type of a remote-controlled device. We could jam the frequencies to
>make sure nobody could send a signal to that bomb."
>
>He did not know, however, how the jamming would affect cell phones or
>commercial radio transmissions.
>
>The order, signed by the Minister of Industry on June 6, exempts the
>army and police from provisions of the Radiocommunication Act, which
>prohibits "the interference with or obstruction of radiocommunication
>without lawful excuse."
>
>The exemption "will provide a way to address the problematic application
>of the prohibitions," the order says.
>
>It specifies that "every reasonable effort shall be made to confine or
>restrict to the extent possible interference with or obstruction of a
>radiocommunication . . . to the smallest physical area, the fewest
>number of frequencies and the minimum duration required to accomplish
>the objectives of the interference or obstruction."
>
>David Warnes, a senior adviser in Industry Canada's telecommunications
>branch, said yesterday that it is the first time this kind of order has
>been granted.
>
>He added that cellphone jammers are illegal in Canada, but the
>department will soon release a policy on the devices.
>
>The department held public consultations on cellphone jammers last year
>and it is considering permitting them in theatres, hospitals and other
>public places. Jamming devices are also illegal in the United States,
>but there is a growing underground market for the devices, which can be
>bought for about $2,200.
>A survey of 2,000 people last year by Decima Research found about 50 per
>cent support for jammers in public places.
>
>Copyright © 2002 Bell Globemedia Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.