On Sat, 31 Mar 2012 11:15:44 +0100, "
wrote:

On 31/03/2012 10:12, Graham Murray wrote:
Graham writes:

IIRC they were also called cell phones in the UK back when analogue
cellular systems were new, complete with diagrams of hexagonal cells
covering the countryside. Mention of cell or cellular has fallen out
of use in the UK to be replaced by "mobile".

Possibly because at that time, the term 'mobile phone' was often used
for a phone permanently fitted in a car or other vehicle. ISTR that if
you wanted to call one (from a landline) you had to go via the 'mobile
operator'.

That reminds of the 1954 film ***Sabrina*** Himphrey Bogart's character
made a phone call from his chauffer-driven automobile.

Can't find that clip, though.

It might not turn out to be the same technology. Some of the older kit
was effectively the predecessor of today's cordless 'phones but with
more power and consequent greater range and tied to a particular
landline rather than working via an operator. Neither type was secure
at all and anyone using the latter in the UK was an easy target for
the authorities.