Scottish hoteliers jam mobiles

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Some hotels in Scotland have installed mobile phone jammers to force guests to use the in-room phone service, reported UK tabloid Daily Record.

The device emits a radio signal that blocks the use of mobile phones. Users who are unaware that their mobile phones have been sabotaged think there is no coverage in the area when the phones show "no service".

Businessman Ronnie McGuire -- owner of Electron Electrical Engineering Services -- imports these gadgets from Taiwan, and sells them to hotels, restaurants, bars and bed and breakfasts, said the report.

Phone jammers -- part of a variety of new technologies developed to address what some argue are mobile annoyances -- are becoming popular.

Firms that want to stop staff from using mobile phones to call and text message using work hours utilise these devices, for example.

"This is a way to enforce etiquette of mobile phone usage where polite persuasion has failed," Paul Kan, chairman of Champion Technology Holdings -- a Hong Kong-based company selling signal jamming technology -- said in a report from news agency Reuters.

Cellphone jamming is illegal in the U.K.

As the number of travellers trotting the globe with mobile phones increase, hotels and other establishments are losing revenue from costly overseas phone calls traditionally made by guests. This has made them turn to phone-jamming devices to recover loses.

Talkback

Surely if it's illegal to block Phone signals, then the people who are doing it should be prosecuted. Also , if its illegal to block them , is it also illegal to manufacture a device that blocks signals, or even import a device that block signals? Someone needs to clarify the situation. If it is purely a revenue protection excercise from the hoteliers, then they need to look elsewhere for their cash, the importance of a mobile phone as a life saver cannot be underestimated. Surely most adults who use text etc, can be asked politely not do so during a meal/movie/whatever...

via Facebook 1 September, 2003 10:59
Reply

What a suprise, there are various scenario's where this could be classed as illegal, it also raises the question as to an invasion of privacy. Like countless other people, I am on 24 hour call, even when away from home and travelling, and although there are times where it would be welcome not to be able to be reached, that is my decision and the power on/off button is the means. Frequency Jammers cause problems not only with mobile phones, but can be leathal for people with pacemakers. Wonder how long before these hotels are prosecuted for causing deaths.

via Facebook 2 September, 2003 11:00
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I am really surprised to read that Scottish businessmen are actually using new technology. I find this article very hard to believe.
Regards,

Max. :-)

via Facebook 3 September, 2003 17:38
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If hoteliers wish guests to use their telephone systems more they should lower their prices.
I travel to many places and find the hotel phone charges outrageous. Outside North America even local calls can be very costly.
So, I use my own mobile. If hotel charges were down to a third (which is still way above what calls cost) I would use hotel phones much more.

via Facebook 4 September, 2003 22:41
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While I don't support using phone jammers as a way to force people to use expensive hotel systems. i do have some sympathy and support for ther use in other situations. There are so many seffish people who insist on using their phones in total inappropiate situations for totally unnessary calls. I have had many a meal, movie and even a funeral interupted by these morons.

via Facebook 5 September, 2003 16:39
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Interesting, I would LOVE to be in these situations.

1: You get hurt and cannot reach a hotel phone, all you have in your hand is your cell phone. You try and dial 911, blocked. Federal mandate says 911 calls must go through, however it's blocked.

2: As mentioned, pacemakers, often have frequencies near call phones. Block that and someone is dead. That would be a GREAT easy court case.

3: A kidnapper has a call blocker and goes to kidnap a child or another person. The person tries to use their phone to call for help, BLOCKED.

4: I am PAYING for the right to use my cell phone. Now that right is forceably taken away by greedy corporations. Are they going to reinburse me for the time I couldn't use my phone. :)

5: Terrorist has a blocker, now EXTEND that to block all police channels, better yet, shut down security systems. Beautiful techonology they are coming up with...

via Facebook 12 September, 2003 03:43
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Jamming device is not new, it actually exists for quit a while. This device is known as c-guard. Info found on www.c-guard.com.

via Facebook 12 September, 2003 12:32
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I wish I already had a mobile jammer, but they are still to expensive. Now I have to listen the whole day to stupid talks and meanless conversations - I´m a busdriver on a public bus and you won´t believe the stories I hear every hour, every day. Not to forget the "lovely" ring-tones. So, I go to order my personal mobile jammer soon, even when the prices is a little to high.

via Facebook 21 October, 2003 10:46
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i am very interested to know where actualy can i buy this mobile jammer. i am from india. i want to know it will work in india.

via Facebook 17 August, 2004 10:39
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My initial thought was "what a great idea, I must have one" but on reflection they may not be such a good idea in the wrong hands. We all know of the attacks on the emegency services by yobs "having fun" if they use these to block communication in an emergency lives WILL be at risk. Sales must be controlled, one life lost because of these is too much.

via Facebook 8 March, 2005 22:22
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it is nice but i need more information,that is in depth

via Facebook 21 July, 2005 14:21
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Theres a few interesting points to clear up here. First, this nonsense about pacemakers - mobiles dont/cant/wont affect them, in exactly the same way that a mobile cannot cause a petrol station to explode just cos it rings! (its not anywhere near powerful enough or at the same frequency).
its just overkill on the safety of it cos the government employ halfwits as technical advisors (remember the millenium bug?! ha ha). Next, these jammers have indeed been around for AGES. The good ones have selectable frequencies so they dont JUST block mobiles. They are a very simple circuit (not worth the money really, i make them up in about 20 minutes) and they usually simply sweep a signal causing the mobile to become confused and drop the call (or not get connected in the first place).
As regards stopping yobs using them, just napalm all council estates, and shut the SPAR shops down. no yobs left = no problem ;))

via Facebook 24 March, 2006 01:37
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