News: Emergency services warning over Bush phone jamming

Post by **vk6hgr** » Wed May 16, 2007 10:58 am

A security expert says the Federal Government must make sure emergency frequencies will not be affected when mobile phones are blocked to protect US President George W Bush during next month's APEC Summit in Sydney.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/20 ... 924338.htm

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Comment:

Words like "blocked" and "jamming" trouble me. Unless they're relying on carriers to voluntarily switch off their networks, I haven't yet seen a determination from the ACMA that allows this :-/

Post by **Zebedee** » Wed May 16, 2007 12:09 pm

Interesting - I thought that technology to block mobile phone signals wasn't allowed under Australian law ... I vaguely remember there being something along those lines when it was suggested that mobiles could be blocked or jammed in everything from cinemas to jails...

Post by **gkoutlis** » Wed May 16, 2007 1:43 pm

Nope - aparantly they are planning to use a Blackhawk to over shaddow his Motorcade - as they proceed through the streets of Sydney.

This Blackhawk will be fully decked out with Jamming equipment etc....

This order although not allowed by Australian Law - Has been "ordered" by the President himself as stated in the article on news.com.au as you posted....

Cheers
G

Post by **vk6hgr** » Wed May 16, 2007 1:47 pm

gkoutlis wrote: This order although not allowed by Australian Law - Has been "ordered" by the President himself as stated in the article on news.com.au as you posted....

Ummm. I don't think so gk

The President of the US cannot "order" anything. The request would come from the US Secret Service to the Aussie Federal Police.

There are provisions in the Radiocommunications Act to have transmitters switched off, but from memory it's for technical interference reasons only. (could be wrong, will have to read through again).

The only legal way I can think of this "block" happening is for Telcos to agree to switch off their base stations. Jamming is a violation of the Radcom act - regardless of who's doing it.

Post by **gkoutlis** » Wed May 16, 2007 2:12 pm

I understand, but.... - The original story was edited that "claimed" that the President ordered it .... so yeah I understand

Post by **auntys_eyes** » Wed May 16, 2007 2:52 pm

Below is the PMs rebuttal to the above post. In addition to communications restictions, they are planning to shut down train stations/services, restrict areas of the Sydney CBD and "they are hopeful of keeping the Harbour Bridge open"

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/20 ... 924753.htm

HEKTIK · Post by **HEKTIK** » Wed May 16, 2007 3:18 pm

How much cheaper would it be to just hold the apec summit in the middle of the ocean on a boat of some type or in the middle of the Australia at Alice Springs. Bush is just asking for trouble, and im sure there will be trouble.

** I am in no way affiliated with any trouble that may happen**

xli · Post by **xli** » Wed May 16, 2007 4:31 pm

Speaking of Bush's motorcade.. anyone seen it before? With luck the one in Sydney won't be anywhere near as large as this..

http://youtube.com/watch?v=A2HaQGS4kpM

Bungarra · Post by **Bungarra** » Wed May 16, 2007 4:53 pm

Guys, The National Security (Censorship & telecommunications) allows the Federal Government to protect the security interest of Australia through restriction of media, communications - terrestrial and none terrestrial on direction of the Minister for Security and Intelligence or as directed by Office of National Assesment if there is a belief or action of risk to Australia, Australian Territories, people or interests thereof.

There are a number of aircraft used by the government that currently have the capabilities under counter terrorism measures to black out phone , television and radio comms. Specific frequencies and radius can be included or excluded.

bomber · Post by **bomber** » Wed May 16, 2007 5:37 pm

Was reported in the news today that blocking the phones in the syd area of the motorcade arent being implemented.

Prisons in both vic and nsw have tried unscuccessfully for the last 4 years to get this.

Chicky · Post by **Chicky** » Wed May 16, 2007 9:03 pm

xli wrote:Speaking of Bush's motorcade.. anyone seen it before? With luck the one in Sydney won't be anywhere near as large as this..

http://youtube.com/watch?v=A2HaQGS4kpM

Holy crap! How many vehicles are there!

Lol glad he's not coming to Perth... the amount of resources an event like that would take I wouldn't even begin to imagine! As well as the distruptions to normal traffic, what a nightmare

Post by **vk6hgr** » Wed May 16, 2007 9:45 pm

Chicky wrote: Holy crap! How many vehicles are there! Lol glad he's not coming to Perth... the amount of resources an event like that would take I wouldn't even begin to imagine!

Hehe. I don't even think there are that many police cars in this state!

Post by **Tyranus** » Wed May 16, 2007 11:45 pm

vk6hgr wrote:
Chicky wrote: Holy crap! How many vehicles are there! Lol glad he's not coming to Perth... the amount of resources an event like that would take I wouldn't even begin to imagine!
Hehe. I don't even think there are that many police cars in this state!

Never mind cars! What about Motorbikes!!!?