No entry for iPads into Israel

BANGALORE, INDIA: If you happen to own an iPad and are planning your travel anywhere in Israel, get ready to get it confiscated by custom officials. Israeli government has put a temporary ban on entry and sale of iPads into the country.

The Communications Ministry’s engineering staff has yet to certify that the iPad is in compliance with the country’s standards for wireless communication on Israeli networks. While many countries do not have or enforce communications standards for computers, radios, and other connected devices, Israel does. Much like in the U.S., a process must be followed to ensure they are properly tested to ensure the frequencies on which they operate do not conflict with other devices, which are already approved and, in some cases, have received specific frequency assignments.

Israeli officers have apparently said that the iPad device sold exclusively today in the United States operates at broadcast power levels WiFi modem> compatible with American standards, while Israeli standards are similar to European standards in terms of wireless communication. This, in turn, means they are completely different from U.S. standards.

Ministry officials have apparently requested the information required to evaluate the iPad from iDigital, the Israeli-based distributor for Apple. Until it’s obtained and the iPad is approved, ipad's date with  Israel will just have to wait.