July 11, 2005
Mobile operators gave rescuers priority
The terror attacks in London caused widespread disruption of communications services, particularly mobile phone networks, as system operators gave emergency services priority over ordinary callers in an effort to aid the response to the attacks. [the IHT]
"... Several mobile operators, including Vodafone and O2, said they had invoked emergency procedures that set aside mobile capacity for police and government officials, along with rescue workers.
... The difficulty in completing calls led to speculation on the Internet that the authorities might have asked mobile operators to shut down their networks as a precaution against the possible use of mobile phones to detonate bombs. But network operators denied this, and analysts said it would have been difficult to use the phones in this way for the bombings on the London Underground, given that most of the Underground, unlike some subway or Metro systems elsewhere, has no mobile phone service. London police officials declined to comment."
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