- Monday, 16 November 2009
- INQ Mobile
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I don't know what a monopoly is until someone tells me - Steve Ballmer
Hello! I'm on the train
MOBILE OPERATOR O2 has become the first to risk the wrath of commuters by enabling mobile phone signals on an subterranean train system.
The system in question is the Glasgow Underground, where five of the busiest stations have had antennas planted around the station and platform areas.
That means the hundreds of people waiting idly on the platforms to commute will now be able to loudly call their mothers, spouses, best mates, or whoever else takes their obnoxious fancy.
Or if they'd prefer, they'll be able to spend their time downloading over 3G. Which means those Iphone-a-holics who can barely go ten seconds without surfing a webpage "because it's just like the real web, man" will now be practically orgasmic at the prospect of continuing their Safari underground.
O2 has said that there won't be coverage on the trains themselves as passengers travel through tunnels, so we expect Glasgow commuters to be thankful for small mercies. However, the company did say that enough "interest from customers" could lead to coverage being extended in the future. Consequently, we'd advise that commuters look absolutely as un-interested as possible.
Gordon Maclennan, Assistant Chief Executive for Operations for Strathclude Partnership for Transport, said that "This is a real breakthrough for us as the new technology opens up new lines of communications." We suspect that what he actually means is that this opens up new revenue streams for the SPT, as we doubt that the Partnership is allowing O2 exclusive access to its platforms out of the goodness of its heart.
Derek McManus, O2's CTO, said that "We're delighted Glasgow is leading the way with the launch of this new technology, particularly in time for the busy festive season." We suspect that what he actually means is that this Glasgow will be leading the league tables of most lucrative billing areas over the busy Crimbo period.
If ubiquitous cellular coverage is one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse - and we'd say it certainly is - then it seems the stablehand is readying the saddle and scythe. ยต
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For years ,in one of the deepest undergrounds in the world (not puny Tube like in London) reception was excellent in Moscow. Some escalators are never ending and whilst you get down there ,the reception is always there and is clear.
For the love god ,grow up TFL ,O2 and whoever and move in to the 21st century ,oh wait its brand new high-tech stuff isn't it???
Hong Kong has had mobile services working in every tunnel we have for at least 12 years, probably longer. Also, our trains don't run right next to each other cause we like retaining function of our ears.
It's almost a good idea, except the trains are so loud. Well at least the tube is so loud you could sing to a song on your iponce and no one could hear you.

In the tunnels, no one can hear you scream...."You can put the dinner on, I'll be home in 20 minutes...hubby.".
For quite a long time now, the San Francisco BART stations have had underground reception. It may seem like a novelty at first with many people taking advantage of it, but after it's been in for a while, it won't be any different than the dozens of people talking on their phones on the sidewalks.
Sorry, but... in Lisbon, Portugal, we have 3g gsm service in all lenght of our subway, for 4 years... is it possible that only now you have it in Glasgow?