London Calling From The Underground: It's Called Technology

Boris Johnson, London's slightly dishevelled Mayor has technology on his mind and is determined to have a mobile reception throughout the London Tube network in time for the 2012 Olympics. Hooray, the world may think, finally, the Tube's 28 million annual passengers can now benefit from technology and be connected to business, family and friends; will soon have access to voice calls, email, web browsing, music purchasing, streaming video, news and sport and text messages all while deep within the labyrinths of the underground. Yet, a surprisingly a large number of Londoners are not so enthused and tweeted their discontent. While, passengers appreciate the idea of technology and being connected while travelling underneath the capital, they are not so sure about it in practice...they will be packed into an already over-crowded carriage during rush hour next to hundreds of others all talking loudly on the phone...it will probably make them want to walk!

There have been plans to install the mobile antennas in the tube network for some-time, but the costs have been extremely high. However, Mr Johnson or Boris, as we like to call him here, has now intervened. It has been reported that he has taken it upon himself to "bash heads together" in the mobile phone industry to ensure the project gets off the ground by making the major mobile-carriers foot the bill for this new technology and infrastructure and that it will all be finished on time. It is estimated to cost £100?million and Vodafone, O2, Orange, T-Mobile and 3 will be expected to cover it in full.  The plans also extend to include installing mobile coverage on the Eurostar services. There is no doubt that the installation of blanket mobile phone coverage will be tricky, given the conditions and the sheer density of users within such a confined location. This July, Transport For London confirmed that it had briefly suspended its London Underground Departure Boards (Train Prediction) data because it was swamped by "overwhelming demand by apps." Oh well!

Mobile phones and technology have transformed the way we live, the way we connect and interact with each other, as we feel closer contact with the people we like. Though, thanks to the 'off' switch on our mobiles we can choose when we wish to be in contact, when we wish to drop out or may be just go underground, but not for long. This will change, as part from being more available and 'communicado', the current library silence that we experience here on Tube will be shattered, as a fellow Tube passenger gets out their phone to tell someone else that they're on the Tube!, that they'll be home in about 25 minutes, and they're not sure what they'd like to do, maybe just go to the pub or try that new Indian... or anything else that can be annoying on a very hot crowded Tube train. 'Mind the Gap'.

Photo Credit: Travis Pictures