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Majority don’t want London Underground mobile phone network

Three-quarters don’t want a mobile phone network on the London Underground, new research has revealed.

The poll, conducted by comparison site GoodMobilePhones, came after Chinese telecoms firm Huawei offered to help install a wireless network in time for the 2012 Olympic Games. When asked, 76 per cent said that they didn’t want mobile phone coverage when using the tube.

Concerns around installing the network included the risk of their phone being stolen (31 per cent) and possible higher phone bills (16 per cent). Others commented that they feared mobile phone use on the underground would add to stress and the risk of violence as people would get annoyed with listening to telephone conversations in such close proximity.

However, a quarter said they would like a mobile phone network on the tube. Many said they would welcome the idea as it would make it easier to contact the emergency services in case of an accident or incident.

Mark Owen, founder of GoodMobilePhones, said he was surprised so many people were against the idea. He commented, “There are obviously risks with having increased usage of mobile phones on the tube, but these are things that can be sorted.

"Having an underground mobile phone network is the next logical step, following in the footsteps of Paris and Hong Kong, who have had no major problems.”