Originally Posted by
KLouis
A few years ago a friend of mine bought a gadget over the internet that completely blocks mobile phones from working in a range of about 50 m. It cost around 10 Euro! Provided that this device doesn't block the plane's communications as well (it certainly didn't affect our computers, laptop, desktop and "mainframes"), causing the mobiles on the plane to stop working for ever, this would be a solution. I often thought of buying one of those for the hours spent in lounges...
These devices broadcast an overpowering signal on the same frequency as mobile phones. They are highly illegal in Europe and they would very probably influence the airplane's instruments.
But thats not really the worst about these. I hate people talking on the phone loudly as much as you do, but nobody has the right to decide that I can't use my cellphone in a lounge. Maybe I need to be reachable for something important. Maybe I need to make an emergency call. Anything could be the case that you don't know about.
So if you have such a problem with people talking you might you consider stepping up and telling them to quiet it down instead.