Inauguration Day overloads cellular networks, but not tremendously so

We can't see how this is shocking to anyone who has tried to make or receive a phone call on New Year's Eve (right around midnight, in particular), but cellular networks in the Metro DC area were pretty much bombarded yesterday. The inauguration of America's 44th president brought most networks to their knees, though most carriers reported that interruptions were relatively minimal. AT&T made sure to bump its 3G capacity by 80 percent and its 2G capacity by 69 percent along the parade route, and while a spokesperson did admit that it experienced "some congestion" during the events, customers were generally able to get through. In all honesty, we expected reports to be much more negative than this given the incredible amount of people shoved into one place, so we suppose a round of golf claps is in order for the carriers responsible for anticipating the surge.

[Image courtesy of Zimbio]

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 21st 2009 12:56PM]

I'm kinda wondering why this is news. Every time I been to an Oklahoma State football game it "overloads cellular networks, but not tremendously so"

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 21st 2009 1:35PM]

Because 1.5 million people don't go see a college football game. That's why.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 21st 2009 2:55PM]

With what the other comments have said, it seems AT&T has been majorly overloaded and sucked. That's news. However, from what Engadget wrote, it sound like this too me.

"we thought there might be a problem, but everything turned out okay. Just wanted to let you know"

That's why I was wondering why it was news. Sounded like they just wanted to post something about the Inauguration on here.

Now the bulletproof suit post on the main Engadget blog was worthy. That was pretty dang cool.

[Xoy Posted Jan 21st 2009 1:37PM]

Bull shit at&t aint do a damn thing.

I live in DC and since Friday they have had all types of damn problems dropped calls, no connections in places that usually have service, no 2g in certain areas of DC

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 21st 2009 1:42PM]

You could see the AT&T COWs along the parade route.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 21st 2009 2:12PM]

Good one AT&T. Even on the day before the inauguration my calls were failing. Tried make a call in the subway, no service. Surprise surprise my Verizon prepaid did not miss a beat. Worked both in the subways, even in the tunnels and was able to make or receive a call without an issue.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 21st 2009 2:20PM]

You talkin bout the metro ? Verizon is the only carrier that ever gets reception down there.. i think they have a contract to actually have towers down there. that's nothin new.

[niftydl Posted Jan 21st 2009 3:38PM]

The Metro has an exclusive agreement with Verizon from what I understand, and Sprint shares the wealth in the tunnels. This is not AT&Ts fault, although still annoying - go bureaucrats!

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 21st 2009 4:12PM]

I was there, I have AT&T, and I couldn't make or recieve calls of text messages from Monday up until when I was leaving. Not tremendously so my ass.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 21st 2009 4:26PM]

I was there and had to make constant contact with my group as we kept getting separated. I have Verizon and while I always complain about their crappy phones and horrible software, I was able to use my phone all day with nothing more than a little longer time waiting for the connection to go through. And that's why I stick with them, but I'll be damned if I keep that line much longer if they don't get some better phones, either Android or iphone I don't care just get me something better than WM. But again, no problems making calls at the inauguration, so sometimes "it's the network stupid" is somewhat true.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 21st 2009 9:25PM]

I live in DC by the Mall and had good service typicaly on my AT&T HTC Fuze with the exception of sunday at the Lincoln in wich i did not have service for an hour or two. Tuesday may service was far. text was the best way to comunicate. phone calls did not always go thu and when it did got droped some time. for treh most part i had service that was not perfect but there most of the time when i needed it.