Who can shut down cell phone service? FCC seeks public comment

[phbrown]

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2012/03/who-can-shut-down-cell-phone-service-fcc-seeks-public-comment.ars

The FCC is calling for public comment on the legality of the San Francisco transit agency's interruption of cellular service in August 2011. Bay Area Rapid Transit had shut off cell phone service in its tunnels, anticipating a cell-phone-coordinated protest of the fatal shooting of passengers by the transit system's police.

The FCC promised a probe in December, and late this week the Commission announced (PDF) that it would be taking public comment until April 30, and will issue a reply by May 30.

SF transit officials claimed they cut service to protect public safety by dispersing the protest, but critics of that justification said it violated free speech and put people who might need to make emergency calls at risk. The FCC claims that 70 percent of emergency calls now come from mobile phones.

But the FCC's public notice also states that law enforcement personnel have raised concerns that, "wireless service could be used to trigger the detonation of an explosive device or to organize the activities of a violent flash mob," suggesting local government authorities like BART should be allowed to retain some autonomy over service in its stations.

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In your opinion should the US Government legally have the means to show down cell phone service?