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Israel blocks iPad imports over Wi-Fi concerns

by Michael Rose Apr 14th 2010 at 12:30PM



Israelis had to wait a long time for the local launch of the iPhone; it was late last year before the country's three cell carriers began selling it, and some estimates indicated more than 80,000 unlocked phones were already in use there. With that kind of pent-up demand for iStuff, you'd think that scores of travelers would be trying to bring their US-bought iPads to Medinat Yisrael ahead of the official launch.

Unfortunately for those would-be "ChaiPad" users in Israel, there's a problem at the gate: customs agents have been instructed to prevent iPads from entering the country. Israel's communications ministry hasn't given the iPad the necessary Wi-Fi clearance to operate domestically, although the chip in the iPad has already been used in scores of approved devices. Word of the ban hadn't made it up to the communications minister's office in advance, according to the Haaretz newspaper, and the announcement caused a hubbub. Update: Commenters point out that the iPad is already compliant with European Union regulations for wireless, and Israel uses the same standards, so there shouldn't be any technical or regulatory obstacle to using iPads there.

It may be months before iDigital, the official Israeli distributor for Apple products, has a localized version of the iPad ready for sale domestically -- especially with the worldwide delay in rollout announced this morning. A flood of US iPads making aliyah via luggage and briefcases would certainly put a crimp in future sales.

Thanks B.

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Israelis had to wait a long time for the local launch of the iPhone; it was late last year before the country's three cell carriers began...
 

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daghe

From the manual :

Important Safety and Handling Information
The device was tested by Compliance Certification Services, Fremont, CA according to measurement standards and procedures specified in FCC OET Bulletin 65, Supplement C (Edition 01-01) and IEEE P1528.1, April 21 2003 and Canada RSS 102. iPad Wi-Fi + 3G adheres to the European Council Recommendation of 12 July 1999 on the Limitation of Exposure of the General Public to Electromagnetic Fields [1999/519/EC].

European Community Compliance Statement
The equipment complies with the RF Exposure Requirement 1999/519/ EC, Council Recommendation of 12 July 1999 on the limitation of exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields (0–300 GHz). This wireless device complies with the R&TTE Directive.

EU Declaration of Conformity
English Hereby, Apple Inc., declares that this cellular, Wi-Fi, & Bluetooth device is in compliance with the essential requirements and other relevant provisions of Directive 1999/5/EC.

The iPad is CE-marked 0682 on the back.

The EU-SAR max limit is 2. The iPaden delivers values over WiFi between 0.49 og 0,37.

Test results are pucblicly available here:
https://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/oetcf/eas/rep ... CG-E2381A'

Israel use the same regulations as EU.
An iPod compliant to EU directives is fully legal in Israel.

April 15 2010 at 9:48 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
sfvguy4u

I think I'll skip going to Israel until they treat their citizens and Palestinian prisoners nicer.

April 15 2010 at 3:51 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
mark

I just returned from Israel a couple weeks ago and they didn't check our hand carried bags (which were loaded with electronics).

April 14 2010 at 6:10 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
newzgeek

the iPad ban in Israel: What it’s REALLY all about – http://blog.israeltech.net/ipad-ban/

April 14 2010 at 3:21 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Rego

I thought this blog post was funny. I liked it!

April 14 2010 at 3:10 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Amitos

update:The article that cited this new one iPad per passenger rule is no longer available and we cannot verify it. Please check with the Israeli consulate.

It was earlier announced that each passenger entering Israel will be allowed to bring along a single iPad.

This also goes to ensure US residents coming to Israel will be able to bring their device along, without any problem.

A nice interim solution i would say...

April 14 2010 at 2:10 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
OffTopic Man

They could just use the same tunnels Hamas uses to smuggle Iranian-made bombs to get these iPads into the country.

April 14 2010 at 1:59 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
sfvguy4u

Oy vey even moses had tablets sooner

April 14 2010 at 1:51 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to sfvguy4u's comment
roy

Hahahahaha

NOW THATS A GOOD ONE!!

April 14 2010 at 11:03 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
sfvguy4u

oy vey!

April 14 2010 at 1:48 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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