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TOPIC:

"Internet Underground"

4
centrepull
07-17-2006
05:49 AM ET (US)
 Mobile networks going down under extreme load is an established phenomenon, but less well-known is the fact that the authorities in many countries strategically take down the mobile network for security reasons when it suits them. I was in Nigeria during the 2003 elections, and the authorities, worried about a possible coup and other organised problems, turned off the mobile network on election day. I seem to recall it was a Sunday, and as there was also a curfew and limit on road traffic, not being able to speak to anyone in a country with barely any landlines was a real problem.

Here in London there is considerable opposition to mobile phone access on the underground, mainly due to noise issues. In a society with far more mobile phones than people (I know people have three active handsets), it's already a problem to hear yourself think on an overground train journey. The internet is a completely different proposition, but mobile internet still has a long way to go yet before it's a reasonable proposition.
3
Guy KewneyPerson was signed in when posted
06-05-2006
05:04 AM ET (US)
 Banning mobile phones can't stop bombs being detonated remotely.
2
Guest
07-14-2005
03:51 PM ET (US)
 Clearly the underground could be covered by the mobile networks.

BUT what about public safety? The Madrid bombs were denotated by mobile signals. This can't currently be done over most of the tube as there is no coverage. This BBC report says coverage in NYC tunnels has been cut for this very reason: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4674731.stm

Early reports on 7/7 said that the mobile phone networks in central London were unavailable immediately after the bombing. Was this true? Were they turned off, switched to only allow high access control classes or did they go down under traffic load?
1
Guy KewneyPerson was signed in when posted
07-13-2005
01:35 PM ET (US)

"I'm in the morgue!"



Oh, yes, very funny. "Who wants phones to work on the Tube? I'll just have to put up with people talking... no thanks!"

I can think of a couple of hundred people who very badly wanted to make emergency calls, when those bombs went off.

Time, I think, to stick pins into the rail authorities... Internet access is no longer a luxury, made available only to those with deep pockets. It's a basic part of our civilization, and it should be available under ground.
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