Staff writer

Television viewers expect commercials to break into the action or drama of their favorite shows. But what if they jumped into your phone conversation, disrupting tear-jerking moments or witty repartee?

Those who would not mind the interruption in exchange for some bargain deals on international phone calls might want to check out a new service planned by Dynatec Corp., a Los Angeles-based international telecommunications operator, starting in April.

Dubbed "CM Phone," the system would allow users to call abroad for free. Callers using the system will have to listen to a 20-second commercial before having their call put through.

Ads would break in for 15 seconds every two minutes thereafter, inevitably catching the ear of the other party as well. "People nowadays are caught in a flood of information and becoming less interested in random mass advertisements," said company president Haruo Tokashiki.

Not all international callers are eligible for the service, however. To apply for CM Phone, applicants are required to fill out a questionnaire from Dynatec, which asks personal questions about pastime activities and buying habits.

The company will store the information on its database, allowing potential sponsors to pick their target consumers. Only applicants selected by sponsors will be given an access number to the service and be allowed to call overseas free of charge for a certain amount of time per month.

For the sponsors, the data will help them target ads at specific customers, eliminating much of the waste involved in mass advertising, Dynatec said.

But for callers, there is no guarantee that the information revealed on their questionnaires will remain solely in the hands of the sponsors.

Businesses in Japan are not legally bound to protect the privacy of their customers, according to the Posts and Telecommunications Ministry.