FCC Won't Release Cell Carrier Reliability Data

imuffin writes "MSNBC is reporting that the FCC has been collecting data on the reliability of different cell phone carriers in the US. This data could be invaluable to consumers trying to choose a company to sign a lengthy contract with. Just the same, the FCC won't release the data to consumers, citing national security risks. The data collection on cell services began in 2004, but were simultaneously pulled from public view. FOIA requests to obtain the data have been denied, and commentators feel this is simply for the government's convenience." From the article: "'There is nothing mysterious behind it, it is corporate competition protection,' said [terrorism analyst Roger Cressey] ... 'The only reason for the government to not let these records get out is then one telco provider could run a full-page ad saying 'the government says we're more reliable.'' Cressey added that he couldn't imagine a scenario where the reports would be valuable to terrorists."

Comments

Isn't it obvious?

[LordPhantom]

Cressey added that he couldn't imagine a scenario where the reports would be valuable to terrorists.

Except, say, if they're trying to pick a quality cell phone provider?

Re:Isn't it obvious?

[wiredlogic]

Except, say, if they're trying to pick a quality cell phone provider?

Osama: Hello? Hello? Mustafa, are you still there? WTF! I should've heeded that government report and gone with Sprint!

Re:Isn't it obvious?

[Chris Burke]

Except, say, if they're trying to pick a quality cell phone provider?

Of course!

The idea is that without knowing which carriers are reliable, the terrorists will by chance pick an unreliable carrier. Then, when they're making the final call to initiate the attack, the call might be dropped, hopefully at a point that makes it sound like the attack is cancelled (like in those television commercials).

Come on, that's about as effective as most of our anti-terrorism initiatives, isn't it?

Terrorist to Terrorist calls are free!

[erroneus]

See, if the terrorist had information about who had the most outtages and where, they could all buy into the most reliable plan for their area. And then their calls would be free to each other while they coordinate the descruction of our nation.

couldn't imagine?

[AtariDatacenter]

Cressey added that he couldn't imagine a scenario where the reports would be valuable to terrorists.

And that is the threat! We must be prepared for threats we can't even imagine! The terrorists are cunning and we have to remove any information that could be used in any conceivable way by terrorists, even if we can't think of how they may use them!

I can't believe how careless cities are by providing traffic flow numbers and population densities. That kind of reckless pre-911 behavior will get us all killed!

Re:Grammar nazi alert

[Anonymous Coward]

Sorry but, you're grammer isn't up to hour standards. Let us insure you that, as semi-professional mod's I know how to edit. Furthermore, we excepted your submission irregardless, and thank you even if you are not happy too except it.

Why won't people take terrorism seriously?

[banerjek]

No one seems to care how easy we make things for the terrorists -- at least the FCC is trying to do something.

When will people learn that terrorists may be using our roads, electrical grid, water supply, and grocery stores to benefit themselves? I hear some of them may even be using the telecommunications infrastructure to communicate with each other!

Once we deprive the terrorists of access to these resources, we can live safe and free. Limiting access to these things will be difficult as a practical matter, our best option is probably to blow all these things up.

We should probably burn down the schools and universities too -- there's no telling what a terrorist might do with knowledge they could gain there....

Terrorist communication

[Fred_A]

Cressey added that he couldn't imagine a scenario where the reports would be valuable to terrorists.

That's why I keep seeing all those full page ads in Al Quaida weekly : "9 terrorists out of ten choose Wiretelzoom, the most reliable wireless carrier according to the government"