TORONTO-The Canadian government may give a new meaning to the sounds of silence for wireless devices. Ottawa is considering changing its laws to allow restaurants, theaters, hospitals and churches to silence cell phones by jamming radio signals. Jamming devices work by sending out an electronic signal to either disable a phone or change its mode from ringing to vibrating.
Industry Canada, the federal regulatory agency, announced on 8 March the start of a 90-day public comment period to evaluate “devices capable of interfering with or blocking mobile telephone communications.”
Besides the annoyance of cell phones ringing in the middle of a movie, some critics argue that cell phones and walkie-talkies can jeopardize public safety in places like airports and hospitals, where wireless signals disrupt communications or equipment.
Most countries do not allow cell-phone jamming. But a growing number of countries are easing the constraints.
Israel, for one, allows jammers, given its concern that terrorists might use cell phones to remotely detonate bombs. Japan loosened its rules on cell-phone jamming more than two years ago, allowing licenses in some public areas such as theaters. Australia allows limited use of jamming devices under special license, while France and Hong Kong are reviewing their policies.
The Canadian review was prompted in part by electronics companies wishing to distribute imported cell-phone jammers. Current Canadian regulations allow jammers to be licensed only for use by police departments and other security agencies.
Not surprisingly, the wireless industry frowns on any jamming initiative. “I don’t think you should legislate or mandate manners. Really, if someone’s phone goes off at a movie, the people sitting nearby will be pretty harsh in asking you to shut it off,” said Alan Lysne, chief technology officer for Toronto-based Davinci Technologies Inc., a software developer for wireless carriers.
Lysne fears the growth of cellular services may be crimped if jamming is allowed. Today more than 9 million Canadians, or 30 percent of the population, use cell phones.
Jeremy Depow, an analyst at the Brockville, Ontario-based Yankee Group in Canada, has concerns that the silencers would block wireless e-mail and short messaging, making it difficult to contact medical professionals and others who use mobile devices while on call. “This review of the cellular jamming policy is unnecessary-a waste of time and money,” said Depow.
He noted that it is ironic that Ottawa recently raised C$1.4 billion (US$903 million) in a spectrum auction and is now toying with the idea of obstructing cellular use.
The Radio Advisory Board of Canada, which represents wireless carriers and service providers, has warned that government and makers of cell-phone jammers may be held legally responsible if people die because of cell-phone jamming.
A recent survey by research firm CF Group of Toronto indicated 52 percent of Canadians favor the use of cellular phone silencers in places of worship, movie theatres and public libraries.
Some jamming devices can completely disable a phone, others turn the volume down or even switch it from ring mode to vibrate.
“Is the jamming going to spill out and affect neighboring areas? Probably so,” said Davinci’s Lysne.
He contended that cell-phone jamming will not be approved once Industry Canada gets an earful of public criticism during the 90-day consulting period, set to end in June.
