Wireless Networks Cope With High Volume Of Calls During Obama Inauguration

[Alans Note:]
I wonder how the 3G High Speed Cellular Internet Networks performed there in Washington, D.C. during the crowds of the inauguration? A lot of times at big events I have heard people from the yachthing community report that cellular Internet connections slowed to a crawl. It’s interesting with the technology being discussed in the industry about Micro, Femto and Pico cell systems being used, that cellular companies deployed temporary cell towers (and other steps) to prevent their networks from crashing from the congestion caused by heavy traffic with lots more people than normal in an area.
[end of Alans Note:]

Wireless Networks Cope With High Volume Of Calls During Obama Inauguration

http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7013781999

January 21, 2009 1:57 a.m. EST

Windsor Genova - AHN News Writer
Washington, D.C. (AHN) - The wireless networks of four major U.S. cellular carriers handled calls of millions of people who flocked to Washington, D.C. for President Barack Obama’s inauguration on Tuesday.

Only difficulty in calling people within the D.C. area and delayed arrival of text messages were the complaints of mobile phone users as temporary cell-phone towers deployed in the capital by Verizon Wireless, AT&T Wireless, Sprint Nextel and T-Mobile helped prevent networks from getting too congested and crashing. The carriers also redirected call traffic to less-congested towers to lessen the strain on their networks.

Wireless service was disrupted four hours before Obama’s swearing-in but the networks restored it within one hour.

AT&T and T-Mobile said they handled three to five times the normal volume of calls. But Mark Siegel, AT&T Mobility spokesman, said their network performed well on inauguration day.

“Even in the most crowded spectator areas nearest the inauguration stands at the U.S. Capitol, the vast majority of calls” went through “on the first attempt,” Verizon Wireless spokeswoman Debra Lewis said, according to Msnbc.com.

—
Alan Spicer Telecom / Alan Spicer Marine Telecom
http://www.marinetelecom.net
http://www.alanspicermarinetelecom.com
communications (at) marinetelecom.net
communications (at) alanspicermarinetelecom.com
a_spicer (at) bellsouth.net
+1 954-683-3426 +1 954-977-5245