If there's no market for this in the USofA, there should be

School Foils Cheats by Blocking Phone Signals
Mon Jun 21, 2004 08:12 AM ET

ROME (Reuters) - Mobile phone-savvy teenagers tempted to cheat their way through exams by sending text messages or scanning pictures of tests could be thwarted by a device that jams signals inside the school walls.

The Enrico Tosi Technical Institute school in northern Italy has found a way to foil the next generation of would-be tricksters with the help of military technology.

"Most schools try and confiscate phones before exams, but this way we can be sure nobody slips through," said Benedetto Di Rienzo, the head of the school in Busto Arsizio which is testing the devices for the Education Ministry during exams this week.

The box-like units, called C-Guard, were developed by experts from the military and defense industries for Netline Communications Technologies. They jam signals in an 80-meter (262-foot) radius in enclosed spaces.

Posted by Prometheus 6 on June 21, 2004 - 11:35am :: Tech
 
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Current US law makes it illegal to intentionally interfere with a telephone signal. Considering the significant harm that could be done with signal-blocking devices if they were unregulated, I think it would be wise to think long and hard about changing the law first. For example, how would you like it if businesses started installing cell-phone blockers that blocked all signals - except for their own node, which they would charge you a fee to use? (N.b.: I don't know if this is technically possible, but my point is the moment such devices are legalized, people will be trying to think up ways to make money from them.)

Posted by  Mithras (not verified) on June 21, 2004 - 12:27pm.

Too bad.... I would love to see them in movie theaters.. :)

Posted by  Mike (AKA Prime) (not verified) on June 21, 2004 - 1:13pm.

Simple legislation, like a tight restrictions on effective radius, should do it. I have no problem with people being able to declare cellphone-free zones.

Posted by  P6 (not verified) on June 21, 2004 - 1:20pm.