Sri Lanka blocks SMS on independence day

by mtippett | February 3, 2008 at 10:14 pm

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Increasingly access to SMS services is coming to stand for freedom of expression. In that context it is interesting to see who cuts it off and when.

COLOMBO (AFP) - Sri Lanka's telecom networks Monday blocked text messaging on mobile phones as part of security measures for the island's independence day celebrations, the phone operators said.

The main mobile service provider Dialog, in a message to its subscribers, said SMS (short message services) would not be available for 12 hours, the duration of independence day festivities.

"We regret to inform subscribers that SMS services of all mobile operators will not be available from 6 a.m. to 12 noon on 4th February 2008," said the company, a unit of Malaysian Telekom.

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