The U.S. Presidential Inaguration and ... Cellphones

Via The Washington Post:

Inauguration Spotlights Cellphone Opportunities

In about two weeks, the District's roads, Metro cars and bus routes will become so clogged with inauguration-goers that Washingtonians are praying they'll be allowed to telecommute rather than brave the trek into their offices. But if working remotely means relying on a cellphone, they may not get much done that day.

Wireless carriers are expecting an explosion of cellphone traffic on Jan. 20, when millions of visitors pour into Washington to welcome the new president. So many calls, text messages, photos and video clips hitting the airwaves at the same time can choke communication networks and result in delayed messages and dropped calls.

While carriers are erecting extra cell sites to boost capacity, two local companies are also trying to help traffic move along. Wireless operators are urging people to avoid making calls and instead send text messages because they take up less bandwidth.

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