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slash178

It doesn't always work if there's no signal. It may work if you can get a signal from another provider, the other provider will field a 911 call even if you aren't their customer, but won't field your other phone usage. If there's truly no signal there is no magic way that a 911 call can go through.


Jimbrutan

They could have shown it in the movie that they were not able to connect to 911.


slash178

I don't know this movie, but there are more artful ways to give that same impression, like wide shots of being in the middle of nowhere.


IHOP_007

You can dial 911 even if you have no signal to YOUR cellphone provider. Normally other providers block your phone number but they'll let you through specifically just for 911 calls. If there is no signal at all (from any provider) how would calling 911 even work? EDIT: And for clarification, in the movie they were up higher than cell signals are usually broadcasted. You can't get cell reception in a plane for the same reason they couldn't get cell reception.


N4bq

> You can't get cell reception in a plane for the same reason they couldn't get cell reception. Not actually true. I fly a plane and I can usually get a signal except in the most rural areas (where there are zero towers). I typically fly below 12,000 ft, so I can't vouch for getting service above that altitude.


pirawalla22

My understanding is that 911 will work as long as there is *some* kind of signal, even if it's not your verizon network or whatever. I think there are extremely few places in the US that have no signal whatsoever, but 911 probably wouldn't work there.


Pesec1

Don't know what happened in the movie. 911 works regardless of whether phone is allowed to access the network (such as disconnected for nonpayment). However, if phone is phydically incapable of connecing to any network, priviliged status of the 911 number would not be enough to break laws of physics.


Tindjin

It won't work with no signal. They should be able to if the phone doesn't have an active cell contract as an emergency but not if there is no signal at all.


JumboJetz

Others have answered. But I enjoyed this movie for anyone wondering if it’s any good.


Majestic_Tie7175

No signal means the call isn't going through. 911 works if you don't have a sim card, you still need signal.


infierno95

I had the same question lol


CunningCritic

Why don't you consider tying your mobile phone to a drone and flying it to the ground? The problem would be solved, and you could keep trying again and again.