Israel who has blocked the iPad appears to be deliberately targeting Apple rather than the device say experts.
Israel who has blocked the iPad appears to be deliberately targeting Apple rather than the device say experts.
Government officials claim that Wi-Fi wireless technology used in the device threatens interference with other products however the experts claim that this is “rubbish” as the Government has let iPhone and Blackberries with Wi Fi technology built in, into the Country in the past.
“This is about security and the fact that someone could use the iPad to tap into Government networks” said a British expert.
Customs officials at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport are reported to have so far confiscated at least 10 passengers’ iPad’s. Travellers can pick the gadgets up again when they leave Israel but must pay s storage fee.
The move has mystified experts both in Israel and the USA, who say Wi-Fi is an international standard and the version used on the iPad should be no different to that on thousands of other products.
The Israeli Ministry of Communications said the ban was instituted last week because the iPad’s Wi-Fi wireless technology was built to a US standard, which it said permits stronger signals than those allowed in Europe and Israel.
“This device’s wireless strengths violate Israeli law and will overpower other wireless devices in Israel,” said ministry spokesman Yechiel Shavi.
An Apple spokeswoman said the “iPad complies with international industry standards for Wi-Fi specifications.”
Travellers have been bringing laptops and mobile phones configured to US standards, including other Apple devices with the same wireless configuration, into Israel for years without incident.
Richard Doherty, an analyst with technology consulting firm Envisioneering Group, said Apple is using a standard Wi-Fi chip based on the widely-used industry standard, and the Israeli government’s decision “does not make sense.” “If they’re paranoid about the iPad then they should be paranoid about BlackBerries and the iPhone,” he said.
