Hail the cellular silence

There is one thing that can be guaranteed in Britain today: anything that affects the whole of the nation is bungled. Census day is typical, with thousands not receiving their forms in time. The census is not the only cock-up this weekend. More than 4 million telephone numbers for mobile phones have been switched off and new codes installed ­ but the majority of people did not know about it. This, however, is one bungle we welcome. Just for once, the cacophony of sound that we have to endure from trilling mobiles wherever we are ­ on the train, in the theatre, at a restaurant, in the blighted countryside ­ will be silenced. Enjoy it while it lasts.

Internal links

Millions misdial as mobile phone numbers change

There is one thing that can be guaranteed in Britain today: anything that affects the whole of the nation is bungled. Census day is typical, with thousands not receiving their forms in time. The census is not the only cock-up this weekend. More than 4 million telephone numbers for mobile phones have been switched off and new codes installed ­ but the majority of people did not know about it. This, however, is one bungle we welcome. Just for once, the cacophony of sound that we have to endure from trilling mobiles wherever we are ­ on the train, in the theatre, at a restaurant, in the blighted countryside ­ will be silenced. Enjoy it while it lasts.