Interesting thing about Hotel Telephones!

[Fitzy]

As a Radiocommunications Specialist, I just thought that I would let you know of a very little known nasty practice that goes on in many of the worlds Hotels!
Have any of you ever wondered why your GSM Cell Phone suddenly fails to function whilst in the Hotel????
Well, a device called a Cell Phone jammer(Denier)may often be used, very illegal here, as Ofcom would have their nuts off if they found out, is used to jam the signals from the Cell Tower to the phone, forcing the user to make that all important call on the actual IDD Hotel Room telephone!!
Pretty lame huh!!
I know the company here that makes them, and ships them abroad for that use.
The only time they are used here in the UK, is to render phones inoperable in the prescence of VIP visits, as the Mobile Networks are used as trigger devices:NoNo::NoNo:

So there you have it!!
The next time your Cell Phone fails to work in an overseas Hotel, when you know that you just got a signal outside it will now know the probable cause!
Sometimes when I notice it, I want to say something, but the poor Receptionist probably wouldn't have a clue what I'm saying, Lol

Any of our tecchie friends on the forum, pls feel free to comment.


The point of the thread is, everything in the world seems to be about money!

[somebody]

Yep experienced the same and you can tell as the signal drops straight off but when you look around you see no reason thick walls, metal clading etc.

In London its a nightmare often had my phone cut off when some convoy goes past. Wasn't it belived Gordon Browns convoy drove under the plane which had
engine failure at Thiefrow? Think it more likely a rumour.

Some companies and organsations in the UK seem to use them (if large enough to not affect those outside) from personal experince. Some Embassies I have been to appear to do this.

[Fitzy]

:D
Yep experienced the same and you can tell as the signal drops straight off but when you look around you see no reason thick walls, metal clading etc.

In London its a nightmare often had my phone cut off when some convoy goes past. Wasn't it belived Gordon Browns convoy drove under the plane which had
engine failure at Thiefrow? Think it more likely a rumour.

Some companies and organsations in the UK seem to use them (if large enough to not affect those outside) from personal experince. Some Embassies I have been to appear to do this.

Very good reply indeed.
I would imagine embassies especially!!
Didn't think of that, lol, Well done!
Basically, is a wideband noise generator at high power levels, and needs to attain a signal level at the Mobile end of approximately -80 dbm(for all u tecchies there):D

[adam&chryss]

Yep experienced the same and you can tell as the signal drops straight off but when you look around you see no reason thick walls, metal clading etc.

In London its a nightmare often had my phone cut off when some convoy goes past. Wasn't it belived Gordon Browns convoy drove under the plane which had
engine failure at Thiefrow? Think it more likely a rumour.

Some companies and organsations in the UK seem to use them (if large enough to not affect those outside) from personal experince. Some Embassies I have been to appear to do this.

I read an artical in a newspaper a while ago about that plane crash.
It all got forgotten about very quickly.
The crew were paraded as heros but never had the plane under control, it crashed.
There wasnt a single other plane of that model grounded anywhere in the world.
Odd? Normally they order checks and such but I think this was passed off as birds in the engines.
At the same time Browns plane was approaching and allegedly has jammers on for security....
Like I said this was a newspaper article but it gets you thinking doesn`t it...

[somebody]

I read an artical in a newspaper a while ago about that plane crash.
It all got forgotten about very quickly.
The crew were paraded as heros but never had the plane under control, it crashed.
There wasnt a single other plane of that model grounded anywhere in the world.
Odd? Normally they order checks and such but I think this was passed off as birds in the engines.
At the same time Browns plane was approaching and allegedly has jammers on for security....
Like I said this was a newspaper article but it gets you thinking doesn`t it...


I always thought it odd that it was all worked out very quickly. Normally forgive me if im wrong here (i know there are some real experts on aviation on here) that an investigation would take years.

Like you say due to the amount of flights coming on on that approach and I belive the Plane was quite a common model. It seemed strange how every thing was back to normal.

From watching Clarkson I belive nearly all flights are radio controlled in. Also the reason why normally convoys dont normally go along that road. Where Planes literally are 200 ft or so over the road.

Heres the Daily wail


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-509004/Crash-jet-missed-Gordon-Browns-car-25-feet.html

[ANDRES25]

Interesting indeed!!!

[Fitzy]

I work at the Airport at Heathrow.
19 years in all!
Ok. Automated landing systems are called ILS(instrument landing system)
Basically comprising two functions.
One radio signal for the verticle attitude(glide slope), and the other the horizontal(localizer)
These systems defined as Cat 3 autoland have been around since the Trident 3 in the '70's
Most Aircraft nowadays are fly by wire types, which use computer/electronic interpretation to control the engines/flying surfaces, opposed to the old fashioned hydraulic method.
This is why, on take off, and landing we are asked to switch of our mobile phones, and games, as to not cause any interference to the flight systems.
Therefore, a high power cell phone jammer 200 foot of the deck may well cause the adverse affect as implied by the media.
Engineers like myself are silenced, as we always are.
Of course, we are but engineers who have no intelligence whatsoever.
Yea, right!!:action-smiley-081::action-smiley-081:

Already said enough, lol:D

Take care.

[Ji&Ma]

I work at the Airport at Heathrow.
19 years in all!
Ok. Automated landing systems are called ILS(instrument landing system)
Basically comprising two functions.
One radio signal for the verticle attitude(glide slope), and the other the horizontal(localizer)
These systems defined as Cat 3 autoland have been around since the Trident 3 in the '70's
Most Aircraft nowadays are fly by wire types, which use computer/electronic interpretation to control the engines/flying surfaces, opposed to the old fashioned hydraulic method.
This is why, on take off, and landing we are asked to switch of our mobile phones, and games, as to not cause any interference to the flight systems.
Therefore, a high power cell phone jammer 200 foot of the deck may well cause the adverse affect as implied by the media.
Engineers like myself are silenced, as we always are.
Of course, we are but engineers who have no intelligence whatsoever.
Yea, right!!:action-smiley-081::action-smiley-081:

Already said enough, lol:D

Take care.
:Erm:What would you expect from engineer...:omg::action-smiley-081:

[Mrs Daddy]

hhhmmm interesting:D

[Arthur Little]

If I might be permitted to deviate [slightly] from the theme, I would like to relate my tale of woe, arising from an overnight stay - not in a HOTEL, but in bunking down [literally] at a Venetian Youth Hostel - (yes, even "golden oldies" like me are permitted to use these places!) some years ago, prior to mobile phones becoming so fashionable.

I'd arranged to contact my then girlfriend to simply notify her of my arrival. Using my visa card, I duly dialled the International Operator - who spoke with an American accent - and asked to be put through to the appropriate number. This done, I estimated my call had lasted barely five minutes.

It was only when my bank statement came in a month or so later, that I realised - to my horror - the single entry therein, showed my account had been debited to the tune of £35.??p. :yikes: Naturally enough, before agreeing to part with this astronomical sum, I asked staff to investigate. They DID, and eventually they were even able to provide me with an explanatory breakdown of the charge. Apparently I had actully OVERestimated the time I'd spent on the call which - in the event - turned out to have been only marginally more than 3 minutes!!! It transpired my call had been intercepted by an operator in San Diego, California [would you believe!] and THEN diverted to the UK - hence its cost.

I post this message in the hope that it serves as a warning to others to be extremely wary when phoning from abroad.

[Arthur Little]

If I might be permitted to deviate [slightly] from the theme, I would like to relate my tale of woe, arising from an overnight stay - not in a HOTEL, but in bunking down [literally] at a Venetian Youth Hostel - (yes, even "golden oldies" like me are permitted to use these places!) some years ago, prior to mobile phones becoming so fashionable.

I'd arranged to contact my then girlfriend to simply notify her of my arrival. Using my visa card, I duly dialled the International Operator - who spoke with an American accent - and asked to be put through to the appropriate number. This done, I estimated my call had lasted barely five minutes.

It was only when my bank statement came in a month or so later, that I realised - to my horror - the single entry therein, showed my account had been debited to the tune of £35.??p. :yikes: Naturally enough, before agreeing to part with this astronomical sum, I asked staff to investigate. They DID, and eventually they were even able to provide me with an explanatory breakdown of the charge. Apparently I had actully OVERestimated the time I'd spent on the call which - in the event - turned out to have been only marginally more than 3 minutes!!! It transpired my call had been intercepted by an operator in San Diego, California [would you believe!] and THEN diverted to the UK - hence its cost.

I post this message in the hope that it serves as a warning to others to be extremely wary when phoning from abroad.

Aww, no response[s]? :bigcry: Maybe I should've posted a New Thread entitled: 'Warning About Ho(S)tel Telephones...'!

[Fitzy]

:d
:erm:what would you expect from engineer...:omg::action-smiley-081:

[Fitzy]

:D
Aww, no response[s]? :bigcry: Maybe I should've posted a New Thread entitled: 'Warning About Ho(S)tel Telephones...'!

Noooo
Is perfectly ok mate, just been busy.
A very valid point Sir, and thank you for bringing it up.
I have an Acer Aspire One Webook, really tiny in size, and only 1.3kilos in weight.
I add some skype credit to it, and use the Wi-Fi hotspots around the world, most of which are free, and I make calls to the UK all the time to landlines for 1.2 pence per minute.
Am sorry to hear that you got ripped of in this way.
I have amassed alot of Telecommunications knowledge over the years, and have explored various mediums to call cheaply, and using providers like Skype, or Voipcheap are pretty reliable, and cost effective, and you can text with Skype too, and it also gives you confirmation that the mobile that you sent it to has in fact received it.
There are numerous phonecards, and sim cards also to be had!
I use a Lyca Mobile sim in my other phone to call my lady in the Philippines when she is not on the computer with skype, so the options to call the philippines cheaply, or for nothing are great.:D
I think it's something like 7 pence/min with the Lyca Sim
When she is online at home with Skype, I use my Skype enabled Mobile Phone, and it's so great, as I'm saving 60+quid a month in phone calls to her since I got the Computer for her, LOl

Please feel free to add any comments.


Philip...