Mobile Phone Blocking Proposal Raises Safety Concerns

7:00 am on March 18, 2006 | Category: Mobile Devices, Wireless Technology

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At a recent trade conference, American movie theater owners said that they are considering asking the FCC for permission to jam cell phone signals inside theaters, a move that is highly controversial and possibly illegal.

The very suggestion of blocking mobile phone reception has already attracted a lot of negative feedback, and there is no denying that there are some very serious issues involved, including public safety.

Jamming wireless signals would make it impossible for patrons to contact emergency authorities when inside a theater, and could hamper the efforts of these authorities in the event of an emergency.

“Blocking technology is illegal for many reasons, the most important of which is public safety,” commented CTIA spokesman John Walls. “I don’t think anyone’s in the position to play gatekeeper.”

At this point, it appears that the risks of the theaters’ proposal far outweigh the benefits, and it appears highly unlikely that the FCC will grant permission to block cell phone signals, unless someone can figure out a way to do it safely.

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    1. Cell phone jamming is not needed. Theaters just need to require patrons to do one of the following:

      1) Leave the phone in the car, at home, whatever
      2) Turn the phone off.
      3) Turn the phone to vibrate (what I do at the movies).

      Comment by Matt — March 21, 2006 #

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