Official: Cellphone service shut down in Boston

[Fearless]

Last edited Mon Apr 15, 2013, 05:42 PM - Edit history (1)

Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — A law enforcement official says cellphone service has been shut down in the Boston area to prevent any potential remote detonations of explosives.

Authorities have not identified what caused the explosives that erupted at the finish line of the Boston Marathon. The official was speaking on condition of anonymity because the investigation was ongoing.

The explosions have killed two people and injured at least 23 others.

Read more: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/official-cellphone-service-shut-down-boston

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EDIT TO UPDATE: AT&T is claiming that the service has NOT been shut off but just very congested. Also that they are keeping the temporary WiFi network set up for the marathon up for the time being.

[uppityperson]

1. jfc, wtf

[SheilaT]

2. What an excellent idea!

Now all those people who have cell phones only have no way to make a phone call, even to 911 if need be. Yes. That's the right thing to do isn't it!

Isn't it?

[Fearless]

3. Here...

http://google.org/personfinder/2013-boston-explosions

Or

People who need to reunite with family call the mayor's hotline at: 617-635-4500.

[Myrina]

11. Not very helpful if you're stuck in Boston

... Somewhere along the route, With just a cellphone ...which has been forcibly turned off ...

[Fearless]

13. WiFi still works too.

[Myrina]

18. Yes and can you imagine the bandwidth issues?

Nt

[Fearless]

19. Likewise about cell phones before the network in the city was shut down.

Both of my parents were in Boston working the marathon today. They were able to get one text through, never mind phone call.

[dipsydoodle]

14. What did people do before cell phones ?

.

[Myrina]

17. They used payphones, most of which are gone

Smoke signals perhaps?

[mwooldri]

27. Amateur Radio, CB Radio...

Truckers still use CB AFAIK. Amateur radio AFAIK is still going strong, well maybe with the exception of morse code. Too much to put into one post here but bottom line is if the Internet is out and the phone is out... amateurs can communicate where others cannot.

[Marrah_G]

8. Better then someone having the ability to detonate more ( and yes, they have found more)

[Control-Z]

4. I've run out of words, I think.

But I love your sigline pic!

[Fearless]

5. Yours as well

[Control-Z]

10. Thank you.

That's my lovely mom.

[high density]

6. Let's just permanently shut down cellphones

And stop flying

And stop modern society completely.

Yeah, that's the ticket to fix this problem.

[Fearless]

7. Their worried about if devices were detonated via cell phones

All land lines still work.

[high density]

15. OK then they'd better shut down cellphones where I live too

Because I'm afraid the cellular infrastructure might be used to set off a bomb near me! We must do everything in the sake of "safety!"

[Fearless]

16. They found a third unexploded package

That is why they are worried.

[eggplant]

20. Really? you can't grasp the idea that cell phones are today's handy dandy detonators?

Not turning off the network would be criminal, in my opinion. It's only for a little while until the chaos settles down a bit, people leave the area, and a sweep can be done. Get over it.

Are you also against locking down a site when there is a shooter on the loose, because, hey, it interferes with your ability to get where you are going?

[high density]

22. I just think we are quick to fold into the fear of terrorism

and are quick to curtail freedoms that do nothing to improve safety. Wait for a sweep? Sweep for what? Cellphones? Yes, there are cellphones in Boston.

[uppityperson]

21. Who beyond you is saying "permanently"? Good grief.

[high density]

23. For safety man! The terrorists can't use things that don't exist against us!

So we must shut down cellphone service now!

[uppityperson]

24. Setting off a bomb using a cell phone is something that doesn't exist? Oh. Kay. stepping away

slowly now

[Marrah_G]

9. Logan is shut down for now also

[Fearless]

12. As is the T

[TeamPooka]

25. shut down the cell phones but leave all the guns. nt

[RebelOne]

26. According to latest news reports, cell phone service is now working. n/t

[Elvin Ives]

28. In the entire Boston area?

Or some parts?