The FBI, Department of Homeland Security, and Justice Department submitted these comments to the FCC this month (a day after the 4th of July, in fact): http://www.askcalea.net/docs/20050705-doj-fcc-ib-05-20.pdf It's substantially the same as this: http://news.com.com/FBI+warns+of+cell+phones+aloft/2100-1039_3-5726850.html But still worth noting. Excerpt: For example, the use of satellite-based communications and data services onboard aircraft could potentially facilitate a coordinated attack between (1) a person on the aircraft and a person on the ground, (2) persons traveling on different aircraft, and/or (3) persons traveling on the same aircraft located in different sections of the cabin, who could communicate with one another using these services... Other operational capabilities that the Departments request include that the satellite-based service provider or carrier be able, by a date certain, to: (1) Expeditiously identify the verified location/seat number (if available) or relative location (i.e. forward or aft) of the user of a given broadband-enabled communications device on a given aircraft which has a communication in progress; (2) Expeditiously identify all broadband-enabled communications device users on a given aircraft who have communications in progress to or with a broadband-enabled communications device user onboard another aircraft that are serviced by the same or an associated provider; (3) Expeditiously interrupt a communication in progress on a given aircraft; (4) Expeditiously conference law enforcement with or to a communication in progress on a given aircraft; (5) Expeditiously redirect all communications destined to or originating from a given aircraft; (6) Expeditiously terminate the ability of all broadband-enabled communications device users on a given aircraft to send or receive communications without impairing the ability of authorized personnel to communicate; (7) Provide the ability to transmit emergency law enforcement/public safety information to airborne and terrestrial resources, as appropriate; and (8) Provide a dedicated service or reserve bandwidth (which can be accomplished through preemption protocols) to support the transmission and reception of emergency communications information to and from aircraft security elements, independent of passenger use; (9) Assure the technology used is compatible with Wireless Priority Service to enable National Security/Emergency Preparedness (NS/EP) users connectivity in emergency situations. -Declan _______________________________________________ Politech mailing list Archived at http://www.politechbot.com/ Moderated by Declan McCullagh (http://www.mccullagh.org/)
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