FCC Considers Granting Police the Authority to Shut Down Cell Phone Networks

The Intel Hub ^ | 6 March 2012 | IntelHub

[Brown Deer]

The FCC is currently seeking public comments on whether or not it is appropriate and feasible to grant local police forces the power to shut down mobile phone networks.

If the FCC does decide to grant local police the authority to indiscriminately shut down cell phone service whenever they feel there is a public safety concern you can count on legitimate, first amendment protected activities to be targeted throughout the country.

[Joe the Pimpernel]

This is why you need a land line.

[windcliff]

LOL

[Vendome]

That is a really stoopid idea and a real problem for those in the area who need to communicate for business, medical or emergency needs.

What happens to the mother who cannot contact her children to to tell them she will be delayed or better, what happens if she can’t make arrangements for her children to be cared for?

What happens to the child, who needing managed medical care, isn’t able to get information or the information cannot be given to someone who could care for that child?

What about the parent with Alzheimer’s or other diseases that the don or daughter is trying to manage and now cannot communicate to someone the predicament?

Will any dogs be shot in these fiasco’s?

The all might power of the state trumps all.

[dfwgator]

Maybe CB Radios will soon be back in vogue.

[ShadowAce]

This isn’t about what’s right—this is about power and control.

[melancholy]

FCC Considers Granting Police the Authority to Shut Down Cell Phone Networks

An answer to the question of signs for things to come.

[USAF80]

In Iraq they shut down the cell towers whenever there was an operation going down. Of course that most likely tipped off the locals anyway but they could not coordinate attacks without cell phones.

The military and law enforcement will still need to communicate so I suggest getting some secure walki talkies

[Dead Corpse]

sarcasm

I can never foresee an instance where this would be abused.

/sarcasm

Um... I STILL can’t find a spot in my copy of the Constitution that allows for the FCC to even exist.

[USAF80]

Can’t use a land line in your car.

[CodeToad]

Maybe we the people should maintain high powered radio jammers to jam their communications since they feel the need to shutdown ours.

[Carry_Okie]

Could mobile carriers allow customers to still dial 911 if other service was shut down?

So, in an "emergency" the only people we could call would be the government?

I see. Oh happy day.

[USAF80]

GPS was for military uses anyway. It has a built in error so they don't have to shut it down. The military GPS can decode the error while your civilian GPS can't. Your average Garmin is not as accurate as a military GPS, they cost thousands of dollars and has tons of features.

[Principle Over Politics]

Welcome to 1984.

[USAF80]

That depends on if they are jamming the towers or just calling the companies to take them off-line. Jamming would disrupt all comms. on those frequencies.

In may travels to other countries my cell phone could always make emergency calls but not regular calls. They may have the same set up here.

[Joe the Pimpernel]

At least you can make phone calls when you get home.

If the cops shut down the cell towers and all you have are cell phones, you are incommunicado.

[USAF80]

Good luck. A cascade jammer aint cheap plus they have “home on jam” missiles that can take out the jammer. That’s if we are in a real war.

[dfwgator]

At least you can make phone calls when you get home

You think they wouldn't shut down land lines as well?

[ShadowAce]

And it’s easier to take out a land line

[USAF80]

You can scan their frequencies to find out what’s happening. I don’t think they have secure radios most places.