Wednesday, July 27, 2005

Mobile phones on tube email - it's rubbish

Mobile phones and emergency numbers on the tube

There's an email currently doing the rounds (I've just received it) saying:

"If you travel to work on the tube please note the following information:

If your mobile phone has no signal (so even if you were in a tunnel) if you
dial 112 it diverts to a satellite signal and puts you through to the 999 call
centre.

ALL phone companies have signed up and as it is a satellite service it also
gives them a trace to you if you don't know where you are
."

It's rubbish and Transport for London had to make a statement confirming this.

"This e-mail is incorrect. The 112 number does link people through to 999, but it only works if you have a signal on your mobile phone. If you have no signal bars on your phone, it will not work.

"It will not divert to a satellite signal.

"Even with a satellite mobile phone (which very few people have), you would need to have a clear line-of-sight to the satellite. You would have to be outside, not in a building or a tube tunnel
."

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