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SAN FRANCISCO -- Upon hearing that Japanese scientists introduced building material that prevents cellular phones from working, a manager at a Loews movie theater said he would like to see it implemented.
But the manager, who provided only his first name (Michael), admitted that no matter how many cell phones go off in the middle of a movie, Loews would never use such technology.
"State law prohibits it," he said. "Doctors, the law enforcement officials need to have access."
Actually, it is U.S. federal law that prohibits the use of devices that interfere with wireless radios.
But despite such a law in place, the technology recently introduced by scientists in Japan could possibly be implemented legally in the United States.
It is up to the courts to decide.
Hideo Oka and other electronic engineers at Iwate University in Morioka, Japan, built the wood-based panels that absorb radio frequencies. The panels contain nickel-zinc ferrite, which blocks cell phones' electromagnetic waves. Oka hopes hardware stores will sell the panels by the yard.
The U.S. Communications Act bans devices like jammers that emit radio frequencies to interfere with other radio communications equipment, said Travis Larson, spokesman for the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association.
However, the law does not mention devices like these Japanese panels that absorb radio frequencies in order to interfere with other radio communications, he said.
The panels don't emit anything -- they are simply a natural barrier to cell-phone coverage like cinder blocks, mountains and concrete.
"It would have to be taken to court, or section 302 (of the Communications Act) would have to be clarified," Larson said.
Either way, the cell-phone industry wouldn't encourage the use of such technology. One obvious reason is loss of revenue from people not using their phones at those times.
But another consideration is safety.
"The question then becomes not so much about legality but social responsibility," Larson said. "Doctors, firemen and police officers all rely on (wireless radios) to send and receive emergency signals. If you are knowingly and willingly blocking these types of signals, you may be interfering with their ability to save lives."
Larson says public hot spots like movie theaters, symphony orchestras and restaurants are dealing with the issue just fine: They are putting up signs asking people to turn off their phones or place them on vibrate mode.
Ritch Blasi, a spokesman for AT&T Wireless, said educating the public on cell-phone etiquette is key.
"Shut off your phone or put it on vibrate mode," he said. "It's an issue of consideration."
Loews Theaters, for example, shows a commercial from Cingular Wireless before every movie, reminding people to shut off their cell phones.
But Michael said even when the lights are out, cell phones still ring and people do talk on them.
