D-STAR illegal in France

While Radio Amateurs in the rest of the world have embraced modern digital communications, it would appear
D-STAR is illegal in France and there is now a European Parliament petition on the matter.

A report on the French digital ham radio website (DR@F) says that the regulator, the ARCEP, has said the D-STAR protocol specifications could allow ham-radio operators to connect their station to Internet and that is prohibited.
The ARCEP also cites alleged concerns regarding Cryptography & National Security as well as the use of a proprietary CODEC.

The DR@F are calling on all European Ham-radio societies to help them in their battle to allow all Digital Voice modes, Internet access and no restrictive experiment in France.

It seems incredible that in the 21st century a country would attempt to stop its Radio Amateurs from using modern means of communications.

You can sign the European Parliament Petition - Digital Voice & Internet Access in France at
http://draf.asso.fr/index.php?pages/Digital-Voice-Internet-Access-in-France-Petition

DR@F D-STAR Situation in France in English
http://draf.asso.fr/index.php?post/2010/06/28/
D-STAR-situation-in-France

Digital Ham Radio France (DR@F) in Google English
http://tinyurl.com/FranceDRAF

REF National Society in Google English
http://tinyurl.com/FranceREF

ARCEP in Google English
http://tinyurl.com/FranceARCEP