From: Gordon McKenzie 
Subject: Re: dead zones in Vancouver, BC Canada
Date: 1997/11/19
Message-ID: #1/1
References:    
Organization: _
Reply-To: gordmck@1.direct.ca.com
Newsgroups: alt.cellular,alt.cellular.clearnet,alt.cellular.gsm,fido.phones


John A. Muise wrote:
> 
> I have to agree with Christophe. If you want voice security, analog cellular
> is the place NOT to be ! Anyone (at least in Canada) can go to Radio Shack
> and buy a $150 scanner and listen in on 800 MHz analog cellular
> conversations. You will never be able to do this with either digital AMPs
> (digital cellular), PCS/CDMA (Clearnet), or PCS/TDMA (FIDO). Furthermore, I
> understand that FIDO incorporates a SIM card which - with it's encryption
> system - makes it doubly impossible to intercept.
> 

Yes, someone can listen in on digital conversations. They need a much
more expensive and elaborate system, but it is not impossible. I'm sure
the gov't could if they had a need to (Mulder can work out the details).
It is much better but not completely secure. This according to Cantels'
internal sales info.