Should mobile phones be banned in movie theatres?

[Earlybird]

Thought this was an interesting story from America:

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Dec. 17 (UPI) -- The National Association of Theater Owners wants the Federal Communications Commission to allow the blocking of cell phone signals in theaters.

John Fithian, the president of the trade organization, told the Los Angeles Times theater owners "have to block rude behavior" as the industry tries to come up with ways to bring people back to the cinemas.

Fithian said his group would petition the FCC for permission to block cell phone signals within movie theaters.

Some theaters already have no cell phone policies and ask moviegoers to check their phones at the door, Fithian said.

The Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association a Washington-based cell phone lobby that is also known as CTIA-the Wireless Association said it would fight any move to block cell phone signals.

"We're opposed to the use of any blocking technology, because it interferes with people's ability to use a wireless device in an emergency situation," CTIA spokesman Joseph Farren told the Times.

What's your opinion? Have you ever been disturbed by someone else's mobile phone at a movie?

Yes they should.

There's always fairly large announcements to switch them off.

I think blocking the signal completely would annoy an awful lot of people. When dh and I have been out (very rarely!) and left the kids with the babysitter, we have dh's mobile on vibrate only - just in case there's an emergency. Also, doctors/sys admins/any other job who may be not working but have to be available to be on call not allowed to go to the cinema anymore?

A fine for disturbing people with a ringing mobile, maybe?

Don't mean to be petty here, but it's not just the ringing that annoys me. A few weeks ago Iwas in the cinema and the woman in front of me spent the entire duration texting someone. The light coming from the phone distracted me beyond belief.

By the end I felt like ramming it up her nose, I mean arse.

nope, dont ban it. i panic when i go places which say switch the phone off, its the only way the hospital has of contacting me when i am out. i just send a txt to Peter saying font call for xxhours unless its transplant call. i cant risk putting it on vibrate only in case i miss the call.

i think they should be on silent, 'vibrate' wouldnt disturb anyone, and you could take the call outside

They should ban them IMO.

The last 2 occasons I have been to the cinema we have had a group of silly giggly girls sat texting (with beeps!) and phones ringing

Actually SIL had a few harsh words to say to them half way through the film and she got lots of smiles from the rest of the cinmea for doing it.

ban them ringing but let people have them on vibrate. in cases like misdee's then i think an exception could/should be made

ban, ban, ban - mind you I don't go to the cinema anymore since they became restaurants as well!

Banning them will never happen IMO. This is one of my pet hates though
.....'hello, yes Im in the Odeon..yeah its a good movie, blah blah'...(rustling sweets at the same time and putting feet up on the chair)

Unfortunatley in this life there are people who go to the cinema to 'not watch' a film.

Mobiles have to be switched off in all cinemas where I live.

I'd like to ban rude people talking through the film!

It isn't a DVD! Other people have paid to watch this film.

Phones on vibrate are fine, people can leave the cinema to answer them