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PRESS RELEASE             for immediate use                     22 November 2006

 

 

ANNOYANCE FROM MOBILE PHONES: EARLY DAY MOTION CALLS FOR PHONE COMPANIES TO DRAW UP CODE OF PRACTICE AND GOVERNMENT ACTION

 

The UK Noise Association is supporting an Early Day Motion (225) calling on Government to take action against the growing menace of mobile phones and the annoyance they can cause when used in public places. The Motion has been tabled by Bob Russell, MP for Colchester, who is also Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Noise Reduction.  The Motion calls on government to require mobile phone operators to produce a Code of Practice, promoting a phone etiquette for users and for government to introduce their own regulations for use in public places. (1)

 

It is estimated that 55 million people now own a mobile phone in the UK.

 

Although a number of train operators, like Virgin Trains, have designated “Quiet Zones” where mobile phones are discouraged, there are still many other public transport systems and public places where mobile phones are a constant source of annoyance.  Cinemas and theatres have already curbed their use by running adverts before a performance takes place, urging patrons to switch off their phones.  A couple in London started their own campaign to curb the use of phones on buses. (2) But the UK Noise Association feels the mobile phone industry and government can do more to help reduce the annoyance that mobile phones cause. 

 

Val Weedon, National Coordinator for the UK Noise Association says:

 

“The main problems of antisocial use are people speaking too loudly, annoying ring-tones and the latest problem is the enhanced feature that many new phones now have of playing music and radio.  People are not using individual headphones to listen to their music, but are playing them through the speakers on their phone.  This is a particular problem for commuters travelling to work on buses and trains.  People are frightened to challenge perpetrators for fear of being attacked.  We feel the mobile phone industry can do more to deter the antisocial use of phones, but it requires government action as well.”

 

Earlier this year Mobile phone boss John Caudwell of Phones4U admitted he found ring-tones annoying.  Campaigners criticised him then saying he was in a perfect position to encourage sales staff to promote a mobile phone etiquette.

 

 

ENDS

 

For further information contact:

 

Val Weedon, 01634 316542 or  07887 940004 (m)

 

1. The Early Day Motion  is being tabled today (Wednesday 22 November)

2. The Music Free Buses Campaign can be found at www.hovis21.com/buses.html