The Disturbance of Mobile Phones

Almost half of all adults in Britain think that mobile phones should be banned in public places, such as cinemas, concert halls, restaurants and hospitals, according to new research by Taylor Nelson Sofres (TNS).

In addition, the findings reveal that a third (33 percent) of Britons claims that their enjoyment at a public event has been reduced because of a disturbance by a mobile phone. Understandably, non-owners of mobile phones show more concern about disturbances - nearly two-thirds of non-owners (62 percent) are in favour of restrictions on phone usage in public places compared to just 45 percent of owners.

Interestingly, the British are considerably more tolerant of mobile usage than people in other European countries. A similar study carried out by TNS Telecoms in March 2002 indicated much stronger support in some European countries for blocking mobile phone signals in public places than in others. In Finland and Italy (where over 80 percent of the population has mobile phones), more than seven out of ten people were in favour of using mobile phone blocking technology (72 percent in Finland and 73 percent in Italy) whilst more than eight out of ten people in France (85 percent) supported the idea.

This research was undertaken at a time when there are plans to change or review the laws in some countries, such as France and Canada, to prevent the use of mobile phones in certain public places by scrambling radio signals, known as GSM Jamming. Commercial jamming systems are illegal in Britain, but some countries, including Australia and Japan, allow limited use in some public areas such as theatres.

Tom Perrott, director of TNS Telecoms said, 'Support for banning the use of mobile phones in certain public venues confirms that many users and non-users alike feel that mobile phone usage can be irritating and they are keen to see measures taken to limit intrusion. Besides the actual frustration and annoyance caused by mobiles ringing during a performance or event, many people also feel that signals can endanger public safety by disrupting sensitive electronic equipment particularly in hospitals.'

Perrott continued, 'On the other hand jamming devices could disturb emergency mobile communications signals, disrupt 3G geographical location systems or prevent parents from contacting children in busy shopping centres. Similarly, there are many technical questions that need to be addressed, for example how do you fine-tune the jamming device to ensure that it doesn't impact upon mobile usage outside or near to the building in which mobile signals have been jammed?'.

Concluding, he noted, 'With the introduction of new developments, such as wall-lining materials which significantly reduce the power of radio signals, (recently trialled in Japan), it may be possible to avoid using jamming devices and localise areas to be mobile-free. This issue needs to be considered carefully, particularly in terms of the effect that legislation may have on mobile operators at a time when they are facing increasing financial pressure.'

All articles 2006-22 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas unless otherwise stated.

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