Cell Phone Plans

Wireless Use Restricted in NY Tunnels

July 11, 2005

Wireless use has been restricted in four New York tunnels in response to the London bombings that occurred last week. Although officials have not established if the bombing was cell phone detonated, security wants to play it safe. The four tunnels with restricted phone access include Lincoln, Holland, Midtown, and Brooklyn-Battery tunnels.

The bombings of Madrid in 2004 were cell phone detonated and after the 2001 terroist attacks on New York there has been heightened security measures. Currently New York is the only city to restrict cell phone use in tunnels.

"Following the bombings in London, as a security precaution, the Port Authority required that cell phone service be suspended inside the Lincoln and Holland tunnels. This was an initiative we put into place for the safety and security of the public," said Tony Ciavolella, a Port Authority spokesman.

There are concerns that the restricted cell phone access would prohibit making emergency phone calls from the tunnels. Also, many items can be used as a bomb timer, so others feel that the may be restriction too drastic.



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