Comments on: Peace and quiet: UK train operator to block cellphone calls

By: Steve Wood

Steve Wood — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 08:35:41 +0000

I’m not sure about this story. Sure, any normal human being is irritated by gits shouting into their phones; and they should learn how to behave in public. It doesn’t matter about “rights” – if only the aforementioned gits would learn that you need only to TALK into a phone, not shout. They’re that good these days. It doesn’t matter WHY cellphones annoy; the fact is, they do. So please, just stop using them inches from someone’s ear.
I have repeatedly emailed the train company concerned, inquiring whether the story is true. It has all the hallmarks of an urban myth and they have, so far, failed even to respond.

By: Bruce Berryhill

Bruce Berryhill — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 19:17:03 +0000

Here is one way to use your microwave transceivers (cell phone, wi-fi device, bluetooth, etc.):

Public spaces and transportation services can install Infrared Data ports as two-way links to external radio devices. This would allow people to subject the outside world to harmful microwave frequencies while protecting the minds and bodies of those who are safely shielded within.

If you wanted to get rid of microwave transceivers altogether a network of publicly accessible IR data ports (or junctions) can be erected indoors and outdoors. Imagine never having to pay access fees to send or receive communications!

Lots of notebooks and PDA-type devices have an IR data port already built-in. For those that do not an add-on to their mini-USB, memory card slot, or other type of data connector would solve the problem.

By: Darren

Darren — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 14:07:24 +0000

Isn’t blocking radio signals illegal in the UK? It’s the reason cinema’s etc haven’t done something about this before…

By: Andy

Andy — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 15:51:38 +0000

Surly in circumstances like this you should pull the emergency cord to inform the driver. Your going to get a quicker response from emergency services this way.

I think most of the onboard staff have first aid training etc (isn’t that a standard thing for most publish transport)

By: Luka Marinko

Luka Marinko — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 14:10:57 +0000

You hit the break and smash the window with foil on it and than make the call.

By: Andy

Andy — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 13:02:14 +0000

Perhaps they should implement free Wi-fi on all trains like they are starting to with airplanes.

By: Brendan West

Brendan West — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 11:59:08 +0000

+1. My thoughts exactly. Also, text messaging. Although (unless you have an iPhone or Blackberry Storm) the click-click-clicking might drive some insane.

By: khendar

khendar — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 00:40:11 +0000

I’m opposed to forcibly blocking phone calls, be it in movie theatres, on trains or inside buildings. What happens in an emergency ? You can’t just block people’s access to emergency communications. If someone in the “quiet” cars starts having a heart attack, how are you going to get information from the emergency services on how to help them ? Drag them into another car ? Call out instructions from the next car over ?

By: Mobile Phones Blocked on UK Trains | Jay G's Gadgets

Mobile Phones Blocked on UK Trains | Jay G's Gadgets — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 21:37:14 +0000

[...] Daily Mail via CrunchGear [...]

By: CoolProducts

CoolProducts — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 21:13:00 +0000

I agree that although cellphone calls should be blocked in a quiet car, I think you should still be able to browse the internet while you sit there. That makes no noise and doesn’t bother anyone as much as talking, that is if it even bothers anyone else at all.

By: ls

ls — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 18:41:07 +0000

I’m not all about the right to yell into my phone, but I would find it irritating that I also couldn’t quietly surf the web.

By: Andy

Andy — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 17:52:47 +0000

Now if they could invent a film that prevents children from screaming that would be more useful.