Blocking mobile phone calls in public spaces

[rowan.bradley]

I'm hearing some credible rumours that at some public event
(particularly rock music festivals held in the country - Glastonbur
for example) people are blocked from making (and presumably receiving
mobile phone calls during music performances. There appears to be n
signal during the music performances, but before or after, mobil
phones work fine. Is this happening? How is it done? Who is doing i
(the phone companies, or the festival organiser, or who?)? Wha
technology is used? Is there something broadcasting a blocking signal
Are _all_ calls blocked? What about doctors, police, emergenc
services? What about 999 calls? What about calls from my age
grand-mother who has fallen over and can't get up again? Is there an
way of circumventing the block?

If you know what's going on, I'd love to hear from you!

Rowa


--
rowan.bradley

[Jer]

I'm hearing some credible rumours that at some public events
(particularly rock music festivals held in the country - Glastonbury
for example) people are blocked from making (and presumably receiving)
mobile phone calls during music performances. There appears to be no
signal during the music performances, but before or after, mobile
phones work fine. Is this happening? How is it done? Who is doing it
(the phone companies, or the festival organiser, or who?)? What
technology is used? Is there something broadcasting a blocking signal?
Are _all_ calls blocked? What about doctors, police, emergency
services? What about 999 calls? What about calls from my aged
grand-mother who has fallen over and can't get up again? Is there any
way of circumventing the block?
If you know what's going on, I'd love to hear from you!
Rowan

It is my understanding that some entertainment venues are places where
the use of a cell phone is verbotten. This understanding also includes
the venue has posted this restriction in some manner as to be
informative for all attendees, likely on the admission ticket. These
venues are often held on private property, so the legality of doing so
is a non-issue.

Yes, they use an electronic jamming signal with limited range, intended
to only cover the venue itself and very little beyond it's perimeter.
The jammer can be easily switched on and off at will, and yes, it blocks
all calls, incoming and outgoing. Inbound calls won't complete and
simply divert to a voice messaging system, assuming one is available.

As far as emergency calls are concerned, that's what the venue staff is
for. They have other means of communication that isn't jammed.

Frankly, given the disruptive and intrusive nature of cell phone use, I
don't blame them for doing this.