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Cellphone Lines Draw Scrutiny Authorities Weigh Network Shutdowns To Prevent Terror Attacks By DIONNE SEARCEY Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL August 12, 2005; Page A4 The use of cellphones to detonate bombs in Iraq is prompting debate about the merits of shutting down entire wireless networks to head off terrorist attacks. In Israel, the government has routinely darkened cellular networks after suicide bombings in hopes of preventing others. In the U.S., the federal government can ask wireless companies to turn off their networks if deemed necessary. While authorities in the U.S. apparently have yet to ask a wireless carrier to shut down its entire network, government officials, trying to head off possible cellphone-enabled attacks in New York, last month turned off equipment that permits cellular service in four tunnels in Manhattan after four bombs went off in London. Two regional government agencies -- the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which controls communications in the Holland and Lincoln Tunnels, and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which controls the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel and the Queens Midtown Tunnel -- authorized the shutdown. The service shutdown triggered a clash between the needs of law enforcement and those of consumers, who initially thought the cellphone companies were responsible and complained. Service in the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel and the Midtown Tunnel was out for two days; in the Holland and Lincoln Tunnels, the shutdown lasted nearly two weeks. The MTA says it is reviewing the practice. "The general feeling now is that we wouldn't do it again," says MTA spokesman Tom Kelly. "A lot of people feel more comfortable knowing they can use the cellphones if they need to call family or friends. We should at least give advance warning." Federal authorities haven't indicated that they have plans to turn off cellular networks in the wake of an attack, partly because they don't want to provide information that could be used by terrorist organizations. The Department of Homeland Security says it is working with wireless companies to address issues related to cellphone networks, although a spokeswoman declined to be specific. But the tunnel incident sparked concern within the industry. The Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association, a Washington group that represents cellphone companies, says carriers are working with government officials to determine a national standard for requesting network shutdowns. Cellular carriers have no way to determine the authenticity of a request to turn off their networks and are hoping for a standardized process, says Chris Guttman-McCabe, an assistant vice president of the group. "Shutting down the network to address a threat makes sense, but you need to balance it with the needs so people can call 911 and so first responders can communicate," Mr. Guttman-McCabe says. Some civil libertarians and technology experts are outraged at the notion of the government cutting off communication to prevent a perceived threat. Cellphones transmit vital information in times of emergencies, they say. "This is as idiotic as it gets," said Bruce Schneier, author of the book, "Beyond Fear: Thinking Sensibly About Security in an Uncertain World." "Have people forgotten how cellphones saved lives on 9/11? Not just the fourth plane, but people talking to people in the Twin Towers." Shutdowns are an example of what Mr. Schneier, a computer-security expert, calls "movie plot security," which involves imagining a scenario rather than focusing on broad threats. And it is futile if a terrorist uses another kind of common detonator such as a kitchen timer. Afterall, he says, calling a cellphone is one of many ways to set off a bomb. "Communication," Mr. Schneier says, "benefits the defenders far more than it benefits the attackers." After tragedies, cellular networks are typically jammed with calls from people checking on friends and family. Wireless companies say they need to consider the interests of paying customers but ultimately would comply with a government request to go dark. But a shutdown could also hinder emergency personal and government officials, many of whom rely on wireless phones and pagers. After the 2001 attacks, homeland-security officials strengthened the national priority call system for key executive branch, defense and state officials. During a terrorist attack, that system can be switched on to give preferential treatment to presidential, homeland security and defense calls, through land lines or wireless phones. An elaborate priority system has been developed to determine whose calls are connected first. Regular customers, however, aren't on the list and are likely to find their cellphone and traditional phone calls don't connect because of congestion. "We communicate with government officials all the time, and we'll do what we can on a host of fronts to assist in their efforts," said Jeffrey Nelson, a spokesman for Verizon Wireless. Explosives experts say a cellphone can be used to detonate a bomb from as far as thousands of miles away. To set off a call with an explosive device, a wire within the phone is attached to a bomb's detonator. If the phone receives a call, it completes an electrical circuit, which in turn powers the detonator, triggering the explosive device. It would be nearly impossible to prevent this bombing method without severely handicapping cellular service. Wireless radio-wave signals are nearly everywhere, contained in devices like cellphones, baby monitors and wireless Internet devices. Concern about terrorists detonating bombs using wireless connections in aircraft cargo holds has prompted homeland security and Justice Department officials to want surveillance capabilities on data and voice traffic if cellphone or wireless Internet use is permitted on planes. In London, guidelines have long been in place between the British government and wireless companies for shutting down cellular networks. Officials from two major wireless carriers, Orange and Vodafone Group PLC, citing security concerns, wouldn't elaborate. The two companies say their networks were never turned off on July 7 when four bombs exploded. The network was congested, however, and many customers had difficulty completing calls immediately afterward. In Israel, government officials recently have been less inclined to shut down entire networks as they increasingly rely on jamming devices designed to block communications over a short range, according to security experts. Jamming equipment, like the devices some bomb squads use to inspect suspicious packages, aren't really practical as a preventive measure,as they would keep most radio devices from functioning. You are a subscribed member of the infowarrior list. Visit www.infowarrior.org for list information or to unsubscribe. This message may be redistributed freely in its entirety. Any and all copyrights appearing in list messages are maintained by their respective owners.
