OXFORD, United Kingdom—With cell-phone penetration reaching more than 80 percent in some European countries, market researchers have reported a growing tide of opinion to ban the use of mobile phones in public places. Taylor Nelson Sofres, which recently issued a report, claimed that 85 percent of people in France lead the ratings in favoring a ban, closely followed by Italy and Finland.
However, while there are plans within France to review or change the laws governing the use of cell phones in public buildings and places, such as cinemas, theaters, restaurants and hospitals, little work seems to have been done regarding the technical feasibility. Questions have been raised over how any jamming would not affect cell-phone use outside or near to public buildings, and what impact it might have on mobile communications used by emergency services.
