Mobile Phones During Emergencies

[Duck n Dive]

For those out there who don't know:

During major emergencies the mobile phone network can/will be "switched off" for all users except for specified numbers.

This can be expected particularly for terrorist events.

The only 'phones which will work are those on the specified number list - usually only those involved in coordinating and directing the response to the emergency. This list is normaly a very limited one.

I don't believe you wil get any message etc telling you this if you try to ring - it will just appear that they system is not available/clogged up.

 

[R2B2]

Could have consequences for an individual trying to report an emergency?

 

[Supabird1100]

During major emergencies the mobile phone network can/will be "switched off" for all users except for specified numbers.

I don't believe you wil get any message etc telling you this if you try to ring - it will just appear that they system is not available/clogged up.

Tried to call my other half today from East London....just kept getting a message on the 'phone screen "Call Not Allowed".

You seem to have hit the nail on the head D'n'D.

 

[bitontheside]

Any Network can be shut down to all bar the Emergency Services. BT have their own procedures as well.

 

[Samster]

The reason that mobile phone networks are taken down immediately after a terrorist or suspected terrorist attack is because they can provide a very useful means of contolling an explosive.

Doesn't take much know how to make a bomb containing a cellular device that can be armed, de-armed or detonated by a call from a certain number or a certain SMS message.

 

[Bazz]

The reason that mobile phone networks are taken down immediately after a terrorist or suspected terrorist attack is because they can provide a very useful means of contolling an explosive.

Not just that; ever tried calling family or loved ones on the stroke of midnight at New Year?

The whole network is flooded!

The same happens when sad events such as today occur, peeps trying to get hold of friends, family etc to make sure they're ok. Whilst a massive worry for those with loved-ones in or around the area, priority has to be given to emergency services etc, those at the front end that have to have immediate access.

 

[frenchuk]

The reason that mobile phone networks are taken down immediately after a terrorist or suspected terrorist attack is because they can provide a very useful means of contolling an explosive.

Doesn't take much know how to make a bomb containing a cellular device that can be armed, de-armed or detonated by a call from a certain number or a certain SMS message.

Yes Sam true - except for those emergency services mobile phones - it's not their number, but a special sim card in them than make them still operational when general public phones are shut down by the network. As this is common knowledge, terrorists would get their hands on mobiles equipped with an ES sim card...

 

[Judge Dredd]

Call gapping

You can either switch the network to essential phones only which is likely what happened this morning. Then you switch the network back up and use a method call "call gapping" which allows only a percentage of calls to arrive at their destination.

Believe me when something like this happens activity on the network goes balistic as you would expect and the exchanges simply cannot handle the traffic.

If all calls were allowed to reach their destination the whole network would simply crash. And it makes no difference which company you use. Thay all have to protect their networks.