Obama Crowds Test Mobile Cell Phone Networks

Via BBC -

US mobile phone operators are to boost network capacity and have issued special advice to customers in an effort to avoid a telecoms meltdown at Tuesday's presidential inauguration.

Barack Obama's inauguration is expected to draw unprecedented numbers to Washington, and many will no doubt want to record the moment.

These days, few things say "I was there" like a snap taken on a camera phone, a picture message, a call or a text message.

But all those people taking snaps, making calls and sending messages look set to test mobile networks in Washington to the limit.

Members of CTIA, the industry body for American cellphone operators, have been working hard to help networks cope with the numbers on inauguration day.

In a statement, CTIA said network operators were deploying so-called CoWs (Cells on Wheels) and CoLTS (Cells on Light Trucks) to boost network capacity.

They were also adding more links to the fixed phone network to relay calls and improving so-called "backhaul" services so calls get put through once they are made.

"One of the big challenges that they [mobile networks] have is that they do not know how many people are going to turn up," said Margaret Rice-Jones, head of Aircom, a UK-based mobile network planning firm.

Although mobile operators are used to planning for big events such as cup finals or rock concerts, said Ms Rice-Jones, they usually have a rough enough estimate of how many people will be there.

But, she said, that would not be the case in Washington on inauguration day.

It was not impossible to cope with crowds of a million or more, when they were expected, said Ms Rice-Jones.

Mobile phone coverage usually works during the Hajj when millions make the pilgrimage to Mecca, she pointed out.

"It's one of the biggest events in the world but they know how to plan for it," she said.

Unexpected events such as terrorist attacks in crowded Western cities, though, put much more strain on networks as people strive to get in touch with friends and family.

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He urged attendees to text rather than call and delay sending picture messages or videos until after the ceremony was over.