Brits call for ASBOs for bad mobile habits

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http://news.cnet.co.uk/mobiles/0,39029678,49296887,00.htm

12 May 2008

Natasha Lomas

Music blaring out of mobiles and conversations so loud that everyone in the train carriage is forced to listen are just two of the mobile habits that are getting on the UK's wick.

So much ire is being generated by mobile use that some Brits believe offending users should be slapped with ASBOs.

A survey of more than 2,000 UK adults found the top five pet hates are: people talking loudly on the phone; a person texting while talking to them; loud music being played on phones; using a phone in a restaurant; and swearing on the phone in public.

The survey, which was carried out by moneysupermarket.com, also found more than half of respondents are against mobile use on planes -- flying in the face of European Commission moves to bring mobile calls to European flights. UK telecoms regulator Ofcom has also given its approval to the tech.

More than half of respondents said they believe inconsiderate use of mobiles in public should be punished -- with the most popular option being a 12-month ban on using their phone in public. But one in 10 respondents went further, suggesting offending mobile users should be given ASBOs.

Men are less tolerant than women, according to the survey, with almost two-thirds vying for harsh penalties to be introduced, compared to less than half of women.

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