News
Underground Mobile Launched in UK
(02 Dec 2008, BWCS Staff)Passengers on Glasgow's "Clockwork Orange" subway system yesterday became the first in the UK to be able to use their mobile phones whilst underground. The new service, offered by O2, follows extensive work by UK firm Arqiva to extend the operator's network below ground. To mark the occasion the mobile phone operator employed a team of "Angels" to hand out 2,000 free subway tickets to selected commuters still rubbing the Monday-morning sleep from their eyes.
O2 said that initially the service will be available at the five busiest subway stations: Buchanan Street, St Enoch, Partick, Hillhead and Govan. Transmission provider Arqiva said that O2 is the first mobile phone operator in the UK to utilise its multi-user distributed antenna system to enable mobile phones to work underground.
The Spanish owned UK mobile company was also keen to stress that access to the mobile network while underground would enhance personal safety for passengers. In a statement the company said that travelers will now be able to phone or text friends and family to alert them to their arrival time, to give them peace of mind of their safety and to make social arrangements easier. Depending on the success of the Glasgow network it is likely that the London Underground system will follow suit.
Back