California Bill Would Prevent Cell Service Shutdowns

Local governments in California might lose their ability to black out wireless communications networks. A new bill has been drafted that would extend the California law that requires a court order to shut down land-based telephone service to mobile devices, giving users uninterrupted access to 911 and telecommunications services.

Introduced Feb. 22 by Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima), SB 1160 follows the Bay Area Rapid Transit Agency’s (BART) shutdown of mobile services during August’s public protests regarding the shooting deaths of two men by BART police. The network blackout stirred a firestorm of controversy, attracting the attention of the hacker collective “Anonymous” and the Federal Communications Commission.