Cell Phone Blocking Paint Raises Public Safety Concerns

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Cell Phone Blocking Paint Raises Public Safety Concerns

5:30 am on July 5, 2006 | Category: Wireless Technology, Mobile Devices, Cell Phones

NaturalNano, a technology company based in West Henrietta, New York, is currently developing an innovative yet controversial technology, which could make blocking cell phone signals as easy as applying a coat of paint.

When applied to the outside of a building, the company’s paint could prevent the penetration of all RF signals, making it impossible to pick up radio or cell phone reception when inside the premises.

Such a product would probably be very popular among some businesses like movie theaters, but would break the law in many U.S. states, where cell phone blocking is illegal. These laws originally came about due to concerns from emergency authorities and other public safety officials.

NaturalNano is hoping to get around these bans, with the help of a complementary technology that would let building managers control the blocking. This type of solution, however, is far from fool-proof, and probably won’t be enough to please most state legislators.