Israel’s iPad ban puzzles tech experts

Israel’s iPad ban puzzles tech experts

At least 10 tablets have been confiscated due to ‘incompatible’ wi-fi connection – even though the device uses the same technology as many other products.

April 17, 2010 3:56 by Ben Flanagan

Israel has officially banned Apple’s iPad, and has confiscated at least 10 of the tablets at the airport because of its ‘incompatible’ wireless specifications – in a move that has technology experts and consumers baffled.

The ban is due to the device’s wi-fi communication system, which Israel says is not compatible with its wireless standard and could damage the domestic network and interfere with other products.

“This device’s wireless strengths violate Israeli law and will overpower other wireless devices in Israel,” Israel’s Ministry of Communications spokesman Yechiel Shavi told the Wall Street Journal.

The Israeli wi-fi system is believed to run on Eurpean standard systems, while the iPad’s wi-fi wireless technology is built to the U.S. standard, which allows stronger signals.

But technology experts say that the ban does not make sense because the iPad uses a standard wi-fi chip found in many other devices.

“If they’re paranoid about the iPad then they should be paranoid about BlackBerrys and the iPhone,” says Richard Doherty, an analyst with technology consulting firm Envisioneering Group, quoted by the Wall Street Journal.