Monday, October 13,2008 @ 3:00pm
Egypt GPS ban still locks out iPhone, more
Egypt is under increasing pressure to lift GPS ban that effectively outlaws the use navigation devices for personal purposes. Passed in 2003, the restriction applies to all stand-alone GPS units as well as cellphones and other devices that don't explicitly receive government approval; companies that import hardware with GPS can lose their supplies if caught. The country is only one of three to still ban the technology and is joined by North Korea and Syria.
The restriction continues to be a factor in the delayed launch of many products in the country, including many smartphones that come with GPS built-in. Egypt's ban presently restricts most modern Nokia Nseries and Eseries and is likely to hold up the release of the iPhone 3G in the African country, which is officially slated to receive Apple's device later in the year through Mobinil and Vodafone but hasn't received an official date or indications that it will receive a special exemption.
Government officials have claimed that they plan to lift the ban soon but have yet to set a timetable for the loosened import laws. [via CrunchGear]