Regarding the option of “blocking” cell phone usage in theater’s…
it is NOT necessary to actively “jam” such signals for theater’s to block cell phone usage. “Jamming” licensed frequencies would probably be illegal anyway.
However, theater’s could line their walls and ceiling’s with a fine brass mesh to create what is known as a “faraday cage” – that will effectively block radio signals from penetrating.
That might be a little expensive retro-fit, but surely not for new construction. But, would be worth the money in anti-cellphone patrons they would get by promoting a cell-phone and pager-free movie viewing experiencing. Basically, it would be like going go a movie in the 1970’s when nobody had cell phones or pager’s – must less Blackberries and such.
I suspect this approach would not require any regulatory approval, since it is pure architechural. As far as the cell phones/pagers would know, it would be like building a theatre in side a cave – they just wouldn’t be able to get a signal.
I’m suprised that this idea has never been brought-up in the media, since everyone in the RF business knows about this “faraday cage” technique. They even used it on the Discovery channel show “Myth Busters” to test an RF-related myth without interfering with any licensed frequencies.
Of course, you won’t see anyone from the telecommunications business suggesting this idea, because air-time = revenue.
Regarding the option of “blocking” cell phone usage in theater’s…
it is NOT necessary to actively “jam” such signals for theater’s to block cell phone usage. “Jamming” licensed frequencies would probably be illegal anyway.
However, theater’s could line their walls and ceiling’s with a fine brass mesh to create what is known as a “faraday cage” – that will effectively block radio signals from penetrating.
That might be a little expensive retro-fit, but surely not for new construction. But, would be worth the money in anti-cellphone patrons they would get by promoting a cell-phone and pager-free movie viewing experiencing. Basically, it would be like going go a movie in the 1970’s when nobody had cell phones or pager’s – must less Blackberries and such.
I suspect this approach would not require any regulatory approval, since it is pure architechural. As far as the cell phones/pagers would know, it would be like building a theatre in side a cave – they just wouldn’t be able to get a signal.
I’m suprised that this idea has never been brought-up in the media, since everyone in the RF business knows about this “faraday cage” technique. They even used it on the Discovery channel show “Myth Busters” to test an RF-related myth without interfering with any licensed frequencies.
Of course, you won’t see anyone from the telecommunications business suggesting this idea, because air-time = revenue.