The mobile networks have been reported as suffering from congestion in London due to the explosions. There are very good reasons for this. As I am gainfully employed by one of the major network operators, let me shed some light on this.
The Company's network was unsurprisingly heavily congested due to the explosions. The Company are considered a vital part of the UK national infrastructure which means at times of national emergency we can be "commandeered" for the national good. Much like cruise ships and civilian airliners during times of war. At around 10 this morning we were asked by the Met and the Government to invoke ACOLC (Access Overload Control) protocols. This prioritises mobile network bandwidth to Emergency Services and Government above all others. Only a handful within The Company know what this really means but the concensus is that it blocks all other users. One reason is that forensic investigations will be carried out on all 5 networks to trace calls made at the time of the explosions, linking handsets to landlines etc inorder to try and find the culprits. The second is that because it can't be determined that remote detonation wasn't used, it is necessary to prevent any further devices being set off by eliminating the transport method for the signals. It is assumed that Emergency Service and Government phones are unlikely to be the "triggers".
Each network will publicly state "congestion" as the cause of dropped or no calls, but the reality is somewhat more grim. Understandably The Company can't state this publicly because it might cause panic, or even unwarranted violence against "dodgy" looking characters making innocent calls etc. Of course it disrupts those just wanting to contact friends and family, but the greater good has to be catered for here and it would be wrong for Emergency Services to be unable to communicate at the expense of the "I'm OK Mum" call or the "I'll be late for the meeting" call.
Later, GrocerJack
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