Cell phones and terrorism

They are right to shutdown cell service once an attack is first detected to be in progress, it's fairly easy to rig a cell phone to detonate a bomb, or trigger any other electric device for that matter, an old roommate in college did this to trigger a set of Christmas lights to switch on, it's a simple matter of wiring the speaker into whatever your trying to trigger. This seems to be a commonly used tactic by the enterprising young terrorist as it's easy, cheap and effective. I remember reading this was how that Madrid explosions were triggered as well.

London Attacks Roil Networks

Terrorist strikes on London’s transportation system led to communication breakdowns.
July 7, 2005

The coordinated terror attacks in London on Thursday set off a shutdown in the mobile phone network as officials in the United Kingdom decided to turn off the phone networks out of fear that terrorists would try to set off more bombs remotely using a cell phone.

Cell phone users also overwhelmed the networks trying to check with friends and loved ones to ask after their welfare. Internet connections were also spotty as many people swamped landline phones as well with their calls.

Vodafone, the U.K.’s largest network, released a statement on its web site, saying, “Understandably we are experiencing significant network congestion but we are working closely with the emergency services. In these circumstances, we would ask all of our customers in Central London to avoid making unnecessary or lengthy phone calls.”

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