FCC Opens Inquiry Into BART Mobile Shutdown

Commission's authority in free speech case is unclear

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The Federal Communications Commission officially stepped into the debate over the right of government authorities to shut down mobile services in the interest of public safety. The FCC's notice of inquiry issued yesterday is in response to a petition filed last August following the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) shutdown of mobile cellphone service to prevent protests against a police action.

BART's action drew sharp criticism that cutting off mobile cellphone service at three of its four stations amounted to a violation of freedom of speech. 

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