Inauguration Crowd To Test Cell Phone Networks

The cellphone industry has a plea for the throngs descending on the nation's capital for the presidential inauguration: go easy on the mobile communications.

The largest cellphone carriers, fearful that a communicative citizenry will overwhelm their networks, have taken the unusual step of asking people to limit their phone calls and to delay sending photos. The carriers are also spending millions of dollars to temporarily and substantially upgrade their networks in Washington.

Dropped calls, lost photos or delayed text messages are always a risk during spikes from sporting events and concerts. People often feel compelled to share these events with others, and that takes bandwidth.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[lllily]

I already experienced dropped calls around the National Mall on Sunday. They can be guaranteed on Tuesday.

[SwingingFromCenter]

The pictures are what is going to strain the networks.

They can handle the calls
They can handle the text messages (which, though most people don't know it, don't actually cost the cell phone carriers ANYTHING because they're just piggybacked on voice signals).
The data transfers are what's going to slow it to a crawl. And since DC hasn't been fully upgraded with 3G technology yet, it's going to put a lot of strain on the existing infrastructure and the EDGE protocol.

[NotMcCain]

Too bad they didn't tell CNN who continues to urge "EVERYONE" in the mall to send them a cell picture from wherever they are so they show Microsoft technology of how it joins together.

[through22]

Great Obama Inauguration Day Speech at the LT (the 24/7 Obama News Site--so cool!)

http://www.lipmantimes.com/?p=1923

[Bitsko]

Good luck with that, telecoms!

[mikekopac]

money but it could be honey

[mikekopac]

With all the oney that is being made, does anyone know how each of the carrier's treats its employees?

[blood1]

So all the telecom companies are telling us that they are incapable of handling all the services that they bill us for each month. They certainly bent over backwards to install TWO temporary cell phone towers for the McCain vacation home in AZ - does anyone know if they are still there.

You can bet that these Telecom compannies will be some of those companies that will complain about the new administration and at the same time be lobbying to get $$$$ for improving the telecommunication infrastructure / broadbank across the country!

It is indeed curious that they tote all of their excellent service until an national event occurs...what would be their response in a national emergency.

Yet another example of how Big Business wants to have it both ways -

[jacklambert]

Can anyone explain to me why having a cell phone is so expensive when the technology has become so cheap?

[Uosdwis]

Everything costs. The equipment, the power, the rent, the employees, taxes, legal, etc, etc. And if they can't balance it with standard fees, they charge outrageous rates for text messages. I was just informed mine are going from .05 each to .15!