LONDON (Reuters)— A series of blasts disrupted communications across London on Thursday, but the British government has not used powers to take over cell phone networks, mobile operators said.

Explosions hit the underground rail network and buses during rush hour on Thursday, in a scene reminiscent of the Madrid train bombings in March 2004 where explosives were triggered in trains using mobile phones.

Authorities shut down the transport network, leaving thousands of people stranded and desperate to use their mobile phones.

But mobile users in many parts of London, many of them anxious to know the fate of friends, relatives and employees, found themselves unable to make or receive calls or send text messages.

Networks found it tough to cope with the surge in call volumes, although operators said heavy congestion meant that making and receiving calls required several attempts.

A spokesman for Orange, Britain's number one mobile operator, said it had not been asked by the government to suspend access to its network, although provisions exist for authorities to take control in case of emergencies.

Read the full story on eWEEK.com: Congestion Disrupts Mobile Networks Amid UK Blasts

Copyright © 2005 Ziff Davis Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. Originally appearing in PC Magazine.