Mobile devices causing broken bones

Lincoln Russell 26 Sep, 2006 at 9:37pm ET Article published in Tech

A humorist dubbed it “Nebrols” for “Network Broken Limbs Syndrome.” Mobile phones are spreading across Africa faster than network coverage, which leaves many searching for a signal.

So there were parts of rural Uganda in which there were plenty of elderly men and women with mobile phones, but where the network signal was so weak that the only way to make a phone call was to climb up a tree on some nearby hill, and make your call while clinging to its branches.

When old people begin to climb tall trees there is bound to be a sudden increase in falls and broken bones.

*THUD*

Can you here me now?

Source: BBC

Comments

27 Sep 2006 ~ 1:14pm profdlp I'll bet the casualty rate is lower than that of people trying to use their mobile devices while driving.
27 Sep 2006 ~ 5:09pm NiGHTS Why isn't Jack Thompson all over this?
27 Sep 2006 ~ 6:22pm Necropolis And the device doesnt even need to be mobile either

General Keebler: I think I chipped my tailbone or something so I came home to see the doctor Stupid modem.
primesuspect: How did you chip your tailbone on a modem?

--These are the important discussions that go on in the staff forum
27 Sep 2006 ~ 6:53pm profdlp Funny how the same themes keep coming around. Now we have remote Uganda mimicking Green Acres.

Necropolis wrote:

And the device doesnt even need to be mobile either...