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North Korea Lifts Cell-Phone Ban

by Tim Stevens on February 19, 2008 at 04:12 PM

North Korea Eases Ban on Cell PhonesWe take many freedoms for granted, like the freedom to own and use a cell phone. In some countries cell phone use is banned, most notably North Korea, where getting caught on a cell phone is a crime punishable by public execution. But, the restrictive nation is finally starting to lift the ban, allowing its citizens to carry mobile phones.

Cell phones have been banned in North Korea since a 2004 explosion in the city of Ryongchon. Their use fell under other bans that included the distribution of leaflets or contact with anyone outside of the country. The ban on cell phones will first be lifted in the capitol city of Pyongyang sometime this year, and then extended throughout the country later. Egypt's Orascom Telecom will provide wireless service.

From textually.org and donga.com

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Tags: Cell Phones, CellPhones, North Korea, NorthKorea

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