[meyer]

Cell phones only work were there are cell phone towers, all you have to do is shut down nearer cell towers, and I'm sure the TelCos can do that remotely. Cell phones only "talk" to the towers, not directly to each other.

The problem with shutting down cell phone service is that the cell phone is a vital communications link for doctors, safety forces, utilities, and others. It serves as backup in many cases, and is primary communications for anybody that is on the road.

[dmw]

KFOR News in OKC just reported, and showed from the helicopter, the second device being blown-up. According to this report there indeed was a second device nearby.

[Kozak]

The problem with shutting down cell phone service is that the cell phone is a vital communications link for doctors, safety forces, utilities, and others.

In a disaster the telco's can shut the towers to average users, while preserving service for Emergency Services. It's part of almost every communities disaster plan.

[null and void]

The problem with shutting down cell phone service is that the cell phone is a vital communications link for doctors, safety forces, utilities, and others. It serves as backup in many cases, and is primary communications for anybody that is on the road.

The nice thing about computers is that they can shut down the entire system for the peons, yet allow select numbers to function unimpeded.

[El Gato]

The problem with shutting down cell phone service is that the cell phone is a vital communications link for doctors, safety forces, utilities, and others. It serves as backup in many cases, and is primary communications for anybody that is on the road.

That doesn't mean they wouldn't do it, or haven't in the past. It would be smart, if only for an hour or two. A little inconvenience, in having to find alternate communications, or not having the backup available, is nothing compared to a few hundred or thousand people getting blown up.