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GSM Etiquette
When it comes to wireless etiquette, the GSM
Association believes that rules of etiquette
governing the use of mobile phones should be
premised on the same considerations as the
"rules" which apply generally to the behavior
and conduct of people in society. Such rules of
etiquette are fundamentally based on concepts of
courtesy and respect. Importantly, these rules
do not lend themselves neatly to rigid "do's"
and "don'ts", as norms vary from culture to
culture, from context to context and even over
time. What may be considered acceptable in one
situation may well be considered inappropriate
elsewhere. What may be considered inappropriate
today may well be considered quite 'normal'
tomorrow. Therefore, some vigilance is required
to determine appropriate behavior.
The appropriate use of GSM technology and
equipment is primarily your responsibility as a
user (as is the case with most technology).
However, the GSM Association believes that we
have an important role to play in educating
users about wireless etiquette and facilitating
the widespread use of GSM equipment - whether
mobile telephones or sophisticated combinations
of phones, computers, and two-way video
terminals - in a responsible and courteous
manner. It is in this light that we offer the
following advice. We stress that this advice
should only be construed as guidelines and that
individual circumstances will require a flexible
approach. At the end of the day, the best
etiquette rule of all is to put yourself in the
other person's shoes and act accordingly.
Laws Governing the Use of Mobile Phones
In some places, laws have been enacted which
place restrictions on the use of mobile phones
and other similar devices. You are advised -
regardless of other circumstances - to observe
local laws.
Using Mobile Phones in Public Places
It is generally accepted that there are some
places where people should never talk on a
mobile phone and where even the ringing of a
mobile phone would be considered unacceptable.
In most countries, movies and stage shows,
weddings and funerals, concerts speeches and
lectures are the sorts of public gatherings
where the ringing of a phone and the carrying on
of a telephone conversation (indeed, any
conversation) is likely to be considered an
unacceptable and rude interruption or
distraction. Whispering into the phone is no
more likely to be considered acceptable than
whispering to a neighbor.
But this does not necessarily mean that
mobile phones must be switched off or that they
cannot be used at all. If continuing
communication is vital on these occasions for
whatever reason, you should consider changing
your phone alert setting to vibrate silently
and, if appropriate, using the keypad of the
phone to transmit SMS text. Alternatively, allow
the call to proceed to voice mail and retrieve
any message later. .
If, in error, you forget to put your phone on
silent or vibrate mode and it rings at an
inappropriate moment, the best course of action
may be to switch off the ringer immediately or
send the call to voice mail (usually by pressing
the hang-up key).
Restaurants pose a more subjective question.
The general atmosphere in the restaurant may
give a clue as to the proper etiquette, but it
is always an option to ask the restaurant if
they have a policy. In any event and as above,
the phone can be set to vibrate silently or ring
quietly. In appropriate circumstance, you may
consider leaving the table, and continuing the
call in the foyer.
Given the global roaming capability with GSM,
if you are away from your home, you may also
want to turn off or divert your phone to avoid
receiving calls at unsociable local hours!
Further information on the silent messaging
features of individual GSM phones may be found
in the handbook of the phone. Your GSM service
provider can advise you about available voice
mail options.
Business Meetings
Business meetings do not share the same
attributes as 'public' places. Accordingly,
although considerations such as courtesy still
apply, the meeting convenor is generally
empowered to establish rules of appropriate
phone use, which should be observed by all.
Where no rules are established or there is no
custom, the more acceptable approach may be to
turn your phone off or set it to vibrate
silently, enabling important calls to be taken
outside of the meeting.
Public transport
Passenger in some public transport, such as
trains, may have expectations of quiet which
might be offended by loud phone conversations.
For this reason, some trains offer "quiet zones"
and mobile-free cars. In unrestricted cars, it
may make most sense to simply speak quietly.
Given technology improvements and increased
microphone sensitivity, one generally can speak
softly and still be easily understood by the
other party.
Small, enclosed public spaces are usually not
the best places for mobile phone calls. In a
crowded elevator, for example, it may be best to
simply ask anyone who calls to wait for a
moment. As in all other cases, we encourage you
to be respectful of the reasonable expectations
of those around you.
Be careful on foot
Streets and sidewalks are completely
appropriate for walking and talking. But it's
important to remember how easy is can be for an
intense conversation to distract you from paying
attention to traffic. And shouting into a mobile
phone is no more acceptable to passers-by than
shouting to a companion. This is especially true
in remote areas.
Emergencies
Mobile telephones are modern lifesavers,
summoning needed help all over the world every
day of the year. Tens of thousands of emergency
calls are made daily to operators around the
world who then dispatch police, firefighters,
and ambulances. Emergency assistance services
attest to countless stories of life and death
rescues that were made possible or expedited
because of an emergency call.
While emergency help should be sought even
where there may be doubt as to the 'emergency'
nature of the situation, you should recognize
the unique public service offered by emergency
assistance services and refrain from abuse.
Unwarranted calls may not only be inappropriate;
they may be illegal.
For those travelling with a GSM phone, make
sure you know the local emergency number and use
it when necessary.
The GSM Association advises phone users not
to rely on mobile phone coverage for emergencies
in remote and coastal areas. Proper safety
equipment should be carried.
Jamming of Mobile Phones
Mobile phone jammers transmit signals that
interfere with the ability of handsets to
communicate with base stations. Regulators in
Australia, the USA and other locations have
issued orders under radio communications
legislation banning the sale or use of these
devices citing among other reasons that jammers
could prevent access to emergency services or
cause loss of business to other users.
The GSM Association opposes the use of these
jammers that deny legitimate services to
customers. We support the introduction of
legislative and regulatory measures designed to
prohibit their use generally. Alternatives to
active jammers include promotion to encourage
people to use silent messaging features of their
mobile phones; signs advising that mobile phone
use is unwelcome or could disrupt sensitive
equipment; and passive detection of active
mobile phones, followed by a request to restrict
use. As a response to inconsiderate use of
mobile phones, jammers are the wrong approach.
To sum up
The GSM Association encourages customers to
use their mobile phones and other mobile devices
in a responsible manner. To be aware of where
they are, whom they are with and what they and
others are doing when deciding whether to make
or accept a call, and to respect the reasonable
expectations of others in their immediate
vicinity.
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