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 Beno�t 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.
