Disable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
To prevent disturbances to the Norwegian Mapping Authority's measurements in Ny-Ålesund, it is illegal to use Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (BT) on site - unless you have a valid frequency license issued by The Norwegian Communications Authority (Nkom).This guide will show you how to disable Wi-Fi and BT on PCs (Windows and Mac) and on mobile phones (Android and iPhone).
In order to protect the sensitive measurements conducted by the Norwegian Mapping Authority (NMA) at their geodetic observatory, there is a general ban on the use of all radio transmitters operating in the frequency band between 2 and 32 GHz in Ny-Ålesund, and in a 20 km radius out from Ny-Ålesund.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (BT) both operate in the restricted frequency band (Wi-Fi typically on 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, and BT from 2.402 GHz to 2.480 GHz). Consequently, these technologies are banned in Ny-Ålesund, unless you have a valid frequency license.
Both Wi-Fi and BT are in widespread use. Bluetooth is particularly ubiquitous, and can be found in computers, mobile phones, wireless mice, wireless headsets, smart watches, cameras, hearing aids, tools, cars, smart light bulbs, etc., etc., etc.
The following descriptions and screen shots will guide you through the process of disabling Wi-Fi and BT in Windows PCs, Macs, Android phones and iPhones. For other devices, we strongly encourage you to consult the user manual for any gadget that you have which might rely on (or be equipped with) Wi-Fi and/or BT.
Please note that just setting your smart phone in Flight Mode will not necessarily disable Wi-Fi and BT. (As an example, those of you who listen to music or podcast using a wireless headset while on a flight, will find that the BT transmission works just fine even if your phone is in flight mode.) In other words, you have to actively disable these settings on all your devices. This is how you go about doing so on laptops and mobile phones:
Mac
Open System Settings:
Select Wi-Fi or Bluetooth:
If Wi-Fi is active (slider is blue), click to disable:
Similarly, if Bluetooth is active (slider is blue), click to disable:
iPhone (and iPad)
Open Settings:
Select Wi-Fi or Bluetooth:
If Wi-Fi is active (slider is green), click to disable:
Similarly, if Bluetooth is active (slider is green), click to disable:
Windows PC
Description to follow
Android phone
Description to follow
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