Mobile Phones to Work on Glasgow Underground Railway

Mobile phones will start working on the underground railway in Glasgow, UK from today following the deployment of radio network equipment by the mobile operator, O2 and transmission provider Arqiva. The service is currently limited to O2 subscribers only.

The service will be available from today (1st Dec) in the five busiest stations on the Subway network - Buchanan Street, St Enoch, Govan, Partick and Hillhead. Passengers will be able to make calls, text, send picture messages, e-mail and access mobile internet while on Subway station concourses and platforms.

Gordon Maclennan, Assistant Chief Executive (Operations) of Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT), said: "This is a real breakthrough for us as the new technology opens up new lines of communications. It's great news that from today, O2 customers will now be able to use their mobiles at five of our busiest Subway stations."

Derek McManus, O2 Chief Technology Officer, said Glasgow was leading the way with the launch of the new technology, particularly in time for the busy festive season.

He added: "From today, shoppers in town will be able to phone or text friends and family about presents and meeting up, as well as arranging to meet for nights out or to alert family that that's them on their way home.

There have been on/off plans to enable mobile phones to work on London's underground rail network for years, but nothing has happened yet.

Posted to the site on 1st December 2008