10:00am Monday 4th January 2010
AN East Lancashire MP has called for an emergency mobile phone signal to be introduced after being stranded in a Rossendale blizzard.
Janet Anderson is urging the government to get onboard with a new initiative to help people contact emergency services when their mobile phone signal is down.
Though some networks offer an emergency 999 line in any location regardless of coverage, many phones are still by restricted by the available signal.
Rossendale and Darwen MP Janet Anderson said: “At a meeting between the Culture Media and Sport Select Committee and the Business Innovation and Skills Committee, evidence was given from two senior members of Ofcom who put forward an interesting idea for an emergency mobile roaming service.
“I recall the blizzards last winter when I was travelling from Bacup to Burnley for a friend's funeral.
"Cars were abandoned all over the place and a crash had occurred just ahead of me.
“The problem was that none of us could get a signal on our mobile phones to report the incident to the police.”
Senior staff at Ofcom, which regulates the UK’s broadcasting, telecommunications and wireless communications sectors, are proposing the idea of emergency roaming signals.
Chief Executive Ed Richards said: “There are now more 999 calls made from mobiles than fixed line phones so it is vital that we and the mobile operators develop a roaming service to ensure people in need have full access to safety of life services.
“Currently mobile calls to 999 and 112 emergency numbers can only be connected if the caller’s own network is available in the area."
Speaking after the meeting, Mrs Anderson said: “The scheme is really important for us up in Rossendale, and if Ofcom can sort this out, then it would be great news.
”Even if a service provider does not have service in an area, the nearest network should become available automatically if it is an emergency.”
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