[TWIAR] Canada - Jamming of radio signals authorized

Tue, 25 Jun 2002 13:36:25 -0700

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.

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