Switched has a new home! Huffpost Tech.

Click here to visit the new home of Switched!

Hot on HuffPost Tech:

See More Stories
AOL Tech

Cell Providers Prepare for Overload During Inauguration

by Lee Bains on December 17, 2008 at 02:50 PM


Due to the masses expected to descend upon Washington D.C. for President-elect Obama's inauguration, wireless companies are bracing themselves -- and the public -- for overloaded systems, according to Reuters.

As many as four million revelers and onlookers are expected to show up in Washington on January 20th to witness the inauguration, a number that makes cell providers uneasy. "It's the mother of all demand," assistant vice president of Washington's wireless trade group Joseph Farren told Reuters.

For their part, Sprint Nextel strategists have laid plans to add equipment to cell towers, supplement telephone line connections and send patrols of satellite trucks to the D.C. area. According to Reuters, AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile are following suit.



Despite these preparations, Farren's group is still warning customers of lag times and, in an effort to alleviate stress on cell systems, encouraging subscribers to text instead of call.

While there have been too many instances of cell phone networks clogging up during disasters, we can at least rest assured that these delays will be a result of celebration. [From: Reuters]

Tags: barack obama, BarackObama, inauguration, top

HuffPost AOL Social News Most Popular