and there GSM goes out of the window

[Skybird]

The specialists of Chaos Computer Club Hamburg have struck again: most popular cellphone encryption mechanism cracked and published

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8429233.stm

The work could allow anyone - including criminals - to eavesdrop on private phone conversations.
(...)
It has previously been possible to decrypt GSM signals to listen in on conversations, but the equipment cost "hundreds of thousands of dollars," experts said.

According to Ian Meakin, of mobile encryption firm Cellcrypt, only government agencies and "well funded" criminals had access to the necessary technology.

He described Mr Nohl's work as a "massive worry".

The man has consulted lawyers before starting, he says, and in Germany his attempt, meant to point out weaknesses in the system, are considered to be legal. Of course, the affected companies yell "illegal!" and "look what he's done!", because he exposes their work and product as inadequate.

Consumer should be thankful, for it masively mounts pressure on a debate about the standard which has seen it's first security holes revelaed already 15 years ago.

I personally hate cellphones, if not used for emergency purposes (where there value cannot be argued). And this story will not make me loving them more.