Mobile beneath the waves

The Channel tunnel has until now meant a pause from the multifarious ringtones of mobile phones. But, from this spring, Eurotunnel passengers will be able to make calls from beneath the waves.

The north tunnel, through which Eurostar and car-carrying shuttle passengers are transported from Britain to the continent, is to be plugged into the mobile phone network for the first time.

British operators Vodafone and EE, owner of the Orange and T-Mobile brands, have recently signed a 10-year contract to offer mobile and internet services beneath the Channel, and expect to have the service ready by March. EE is promising 4G by summer 2014, and Vodafone intends to make the fast mobile internet technology available in future.