Many Puzzled by Israel's iPad Ban
Israel this week has been blocking travelers from bringing Apple Inc.’s (AAPL) new iPad into the country saying the device’s wireless technology threatens to create interference with other products, a move that has puzzled people both in Israel and Silicon Valley.
The Ministry of Communications said the ban was instituted earlier this week because the iPad’s Wi-Fi wireless technology was built to the U.S. standard, which allows 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,” ministry spokesman Yechiel Shavi said.
Mr. Shavi said once Apple releases a version of the device built according to European wireless specifications, the ban will be reversed. An Apple spokeswoman said the “iPad complies with international industry standards for Wi-Fi specifications.”
