Mobile phone coverage in Munich's U-Bahn

Since yesterday the mobile transmitters in Munich's U-Bahn have been switched on!

Well, they are starting in the stations Hauptbahnhof, Karlsplatz, Sendlinger Tor, Marienplatz, Odeonsplatz and Theresienwiese. Then its being extended over the system gradually with the U3/ U6 and U2 to the Messe getting coverage first.

Münchner Merkur: Heute gibt Handy Netz im U-Bahn.

I'm still not sure if I am in favour of it as it'll not be as quiet as previously.

Not that you dont currently already get some young one with music blaring out of their headphones (especially bad the turkish/ arab wailing type stuff which is just piercing).

Still, from now on you'll have people shouting down the phone which you didnt have up to now.



Earlier related topic: Mobile phone reception to be introduced to Munich's U-Bahn

The last bastion of mobile free zones bites the dust...

Sorry, but people are inconsiderate enough, esp loud Americans* who insist on discussing meeting arrangements with people who really only need to be emailed, for 20-30mins at the top of their voices on the S-Bahn... It's not nice, cool or necessary...

Now you go and give them all the opportunity to have their crap ring tones blare out for 30secs just so you know they have a really hip (crap) tune, or that they's so dumb they forgot where they put the damn mobile... and then talk at the top of their voices (because, let's face it, the U Bahn isn't exactly quiet) saying 'What, can't hear you?', 'Hello?', 'F**k, lost you'... for 5 mins...

NO, sorry, but plain NO.

*yes, you know who you are. I have a lot of lovely American friends who appreciate that some of their less intelligent compatriats are not as appreciative of their vocal prowess...

**yes, this should be in VENT!

Just hit the Internet and buy a Jammer (Or get the plans to make one yourself). You can get them as small as a pack of Cigs.
Just put it in your pocket, turn it on, and welcome back the silence.

Jammers are illegal in Germany.

Wikipedia: Mobile phone jammer - legalities (and in German: Störsender)

I am happy that they've finally introduced cell reception on the U-Bahn. Unfortunately my line will probably be last or next to last to get it and who knows how often I'll actually be in Munich once I start working (if I find a job in Munich, of course I'll be here full-time). I just like getting it because it means I can catch up on private emails and read blogs and news on the U-Bahn on my way to work or downtown.

Their illegal in many countries, however it doesn't stop people who want them from getting them.
As I said, some are as small as a pack of smokes, just turn it on and put it in your pocket. Nobody
will ever see it.

@DK: Me likes your thinking!

So they're not illegal if no one sees them?

If the jammers get into the hands of other inconsiderate idiots they'll be just as annoying! (I wasn't implying DK was one. But some people might not be so responsible.)

I hadn't realised that we can get a signal from this week till reading this right now. And on Monday I saw a girl talking on the phone on the U-Bahn. I thought she was either:
a) a nutter
b) was using some clever recording application.
c) was nattering so much that she hadn't realised that the signal had gone off
d) was singing along to an MP3 tune

Now I know!

Personally I'm delighted with the change as I can find out which bus I need to take whilst on the U-bahn.

Yup I received my first 'underground call' on U2 at Hauptbahnhof and the signal remained just beyond Sendlinger Tor as we moved towards Messetadt.

Cant understand what is fuss all about mobile free zones...it had to come one day, all the smaller cities in Germany already have it, and it is of course inconvinient for some who travel daily for extended period commuting in the UBahn to be with or without mobile reception.

Till MVV changes all the Ubahn rakes to soundproof newer variety, mobile reception does not have much utility beyond the platforms. Its next to impossible to hear much inside the train.

I got an SMS on the U2 last night and didn't disturb anyone aside from the recipient by answering it. Two thumbs up for U-Bahn reception.

too bad there is not a way for all phones to automatically change to vibrate once underground and return to whatever hell ear wracking noise people like once out of the station.

Although there isn't a way to force other people to use it, there are applications (for Nokia phones at least) which can set your active profile based one which cell tower it is connected to.

That one costs money, so I use a free one which simply schedule based on time (useful to prevent your phone from going off during office hours)

Sarabyrd, that reminds me of one time I was stuck in a tunnel, just before Sendlinger Tor - The driver actually said: 'And for those suffering from claustrophobia, please do not panic, we are only 20m away from the station, I can see the light, no need to worry'

When I was working in Munich, inaccessibility by handy was frequently used as an excuse to grab taxis instead of using the U-bahn. Apparantly one of the reasons that coverage was introduced in Frankfurt's U-Bahn and S-Bahn networks was to help people avoid surface transport (car/taxi).