<h1 class="h s-2">Who should control the off switch for mobile phone networks?</h1>
<p class="author c-4 space-2"><a href="http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/thinking-tech/who-should-control-the-off-switch-for-mobile-phone-networks/10504">http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/thinking-tech/who-should-control-the-off-switch-for-mobile-phone-networks/10504</a></p>
<p class="author c-4 space-2">By <a rel="author" href="http://www.smartplanet.com/search?q=mari+silbey">Mari Silbey</a> | March 2, 2012, 7:17 AM PST</p>
<div style="display:block" class="siu-vertical-cont pos-fixed"><div class="siu siu-vertical clear"><div class="grp siu-cmnt-cont"><span class="count"></span><span class="suffix"><br></span></div><div class="grp siu-more-cont">
<div style class="siu-more pop-hidden"><ul class="options clear"><li><br></li><li><br></li><li><br></li><li><br></li><li><br></li><li><br></li><li><br></li></ul></div></div></div></div>
<div class="content-1 entry space-1 clear">
<p><a href="http://www.fcc.gov/document/chairman-genachowski-wireless-service-interruptions">The FCC is asking for comment</a>
on whether authorities should have the right to interrupt wireless
phone service in the interest of public safety. Although the FCC notes
that 70% of 911 calls now come from mobile phones, it also raises law
enforcement concerns that mobile phones can be used for more nefarious
purposes like triggering an explosion, or organizing the “activities of a
violent flash mob.”</p>
<p><a href="http://i.bnet.com/blogs/protesters-disrupt-access-to-bart-in-august-2011.jpg"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-10507" title="protesters-disrupt-access-to-bart-in-august-2011" src="http://i.bnet.com/blogs/protesters-disrupt-access-to-bart-in-august-2011.jpg" alt="" height="180" width="240"></a>Last summer, the issue of interrupting cell networks became part of national debate when <a href="http://www.zdnet.com/blog/btl/san-francisco-subway-shuts-off-cell-service-to-combat-protest-civil-rights-groups-furious/54908">Bay Area Rapid Transit temporarily shut down wireless service</a>
at select BART stations. BART authorities reasoned that organizers were
planning to coordinate a protest during rush hour that could
potentially lead to unsafe conditions for commuters. However, a public
backlash against BART had civil liberties advocates crying censorship
and claiming that the transportation agency had violated users’ First
Amendment rights.</p>
<p>As of yesterday, the FCC says it wants to hear more detail on the
pros and cons of allowing organizations to interrupt mobile phone
service. Here are a few of the questions the FCC is posing:</p>
<ul><li>What are examples of previous intentional interruptions of wireless
service for public safety reasons, and what policies or rationales have
public agencies developed that support or provide guidance on such
interruptions?</li><li>Under what circumstances, if any, is it appropriate for a public
agency to interrupt wireless service? How effective is an interruption
likely to be in achieving the purpose of the interruption?</li><li>What are the risks of an interruption of wireless service?</li><li>Which public institutions, agencies, or officials have or
should have the authority to request an of interruption wireless
service?</li><li>What are the laws or regulations that affect the legality of an
interruption, and what are the circumstances that are likely to render
an interruption permissible or impermissible?</li></ul>
<div>
<div>The request for comment could generate some heated discussion on
government authority in an age of instant communications. There’s a lot
of power in being able to flip an off switch, particularly when more and
more of our devices and systems are connected and interdependent.
<p>Interested parties can submit comments by paper to FCC headquarters in Washington, or file comments online using the <a href="http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/">Commission’s Electronic Comment Filing System</a> (ECFS).</p></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="space-2">
<p class="s-11 c-4 no-print">Start your week smarter with our <a href="http://www.smartplanet.com/newsletters?tag=SP.nls.blog.thinking-tech">weekly e-mail newsletter</a>. It's your cheat sheet for good ideas. <a href="http://www.smartplanet.com/newsletters?tag=SP.nls.blog.thinking-tech">Get it</a>.</p>
</div>