Last Sunday’s NY Times carried an article about cell phone jamming equipment making its way into the US. It would be surprising if the equipment hasn’t leaked into Canada as well.
[Jamming devices are not permitted for sale or use in Canada. Their use, possession, sale, manufacture, distribution or importing would contravene sections 4 and 9 of the Radiocommunication Act.]
James Katz, director of the Center for Mobile Communication Studies at Rutgers University, provided an insightful quote
If anything characterizes the 21st century, itโs our inability to restrain ourselves for the benefit of other people. The cellphone talker thinks his rights go above that of people around him, and the jammer thinks his are the more important rights.
When this subject was examined by Canadian regulators five years ago, I recall hearing a radio interview with a thespian from the Stratford Festival whose support was being sought for silencing cell phones in the audience. The actor demurred, suggesting that the rare ringing during a performance was less of a distraction than people coughing, yet no one was calling for the audience to be subjected to a medical check-up before being admitted.
I tend to believe that jamming cell phones is not just illegal – it can endanger lives. What about simple common courtesy on both sides?
Your views?