Concerns over the strength of the iPad's wireless transmitters and receivers has Israel confiscating iPads, and barring their import into the country.

Apparently not everyone loves the iPad. The AP is reporting that Israel has told Apple that its tablet computer is not welcome.

Israel is claiming that the strength of the iPad’s wireless receivers and transmitters are incompatible with Israeli national standards, and might disrupt other devices. So far 10 iPads have been confiscated, and Israeli officials plan on confiscating any further iPads attempting to make their way into the country. The iPads will be held at customs (for a fee) in storage until the owner leaves or ships the tablet elsewhere.

Apple recently announced plans to delay the iPad’s worldwide launch by a month to increase supply in the U.S. No word from Apple on whether they will attempt to fight the ban, or just cancel pending shipments to Israel.

This isn’t the first time Israel has closed its doors to technology it has deemed to cause problems. In 2003, Israel suspended purchases of Microsoft products after becoming unhappy with Microsoft’s pricing, and hoping to encourage open source alternatives

The decision is simply a precaution to avoid possible disruptions to existing wireless devices, according to Israeli officials.

Israel and Europe do not allow Wi-Fi broadcasting at as high a power level as the U.S. allows, although no other European nations have joined the ban. Israel’s concern is that the iPad could consume too much bandwidth and throw off other wireless devices as well as bog down existing networks – something iPhone users can no doubt sympathize with.

Showing 6 comments

  1. williamiPad at 4:45pm 15th April 2010 "confiscated"? more like taken by jealous employees. Stupid ban. Will only jack up the price of the blackamrket iPads

    William, theamazingipad.com
  2. Jim at 12:28pm 15th April 2010 My fear is that this report will awaken the Euro-bureaucratic machine and it will follow Israel's lead. Just the sort of nonsense Brussels is noted for. Will this lead to Apple having to produce one of the US and another for the EU?
  3. Tom at 11:21am 15th April 2010 OMG has the world found a state more ridiculous in thinking than the Irish? Surely this is a late April Fools joke. Does this ban occur against all Apple products, or just the ones Big Ben doesn't like?
  4. Ian Bell at 11:21am 15th April 2010 Would be curious to know what happens as well.
  5. Thomas at 10:41am 15th April 2010 Okay. What happens?
  6. James at 10:22am 15th April 2010 Try to bring a foreign electronic device that has no FCC approval, into the USA sometime.
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