[null and void]

The problem with shutting down cell phone service is that the cell phone is a vital communications link for doctors, safety forces, utilities, and others. It serves as backup in many cases, and is primary communications for anybody that is on the road.

The nice thing about computers is that they can shut down the entire system for the peons, yet allow select numbers to function unimpeded.

[meyer]

The nice thing about computers is that they can shut down the entire system for the peons, yet allow select numbers to function unimpeded.

Only if they know which numbers are the select ones. Many are known, but many are not. In my industry, personal cell phones are a secondary or tertiary means of communication. At times, they are the only means of communicating with people in the field. I can guarantee you that the personal cell phone numbers of many, many first responders are not in a database of select numbers.

And, it would take time - there's several cell phone providers working on different systems. Verizon shares little with Sprint or Nextel except perhaps a tower structure or two. Plus, it would take more than a call from the local police dispatcher to get it done.