Phone coverage across the London tube sent me hurtling down a tunnel of despair
4 hours ago
- By the end of 2026, the entire London Underground will have 4G and 5G mobile coverage.
- Previously, the lack of connectivity offered a rare escape from constant work demands and digital interruptions.
- Benefits include improved business productivity, emergency services access, and an engineering achievement.
- Drawbacks include negative health effects from permanent connectivity, loss of plausible deniability for ignoring messages, and normalisation of an always-on culture.
- The author argues that boredom and daydreaming are beneficial and that the rollout reduces opportunities for mental rest.
- Social annoyances like loud speakerphone calls and headphone-free content consumption have worsened with existing partial internet access.