Skip to main content

Cell companies prepare for Inauguration Day crowds

By WTOP Staff

WASHINGTON – Extra cell towers are in place around the National Mall in anticipation of the weekend’s extra data demands.

When cell sites get overloaded by big crowds, cell service can drop out. To help prevent loss of service, AT&T tells the Washington Business Journal that the company has nine cells on wheels downtown, plus temporary cell antennas on rooftops.

Verizon and Sprint are implementing similar plans for Inauguration Day.

Even though not even half as many people as 2009 are expected to attend this year’s inauguration, there will be a greater demand on the cellular networks since the number of 3G and 4G smartphone users has increased.

However, if signals aren’t available, it might be worth planning a backup meeting spot with group members.

WTOP’s Max Smith contributed to this report. Follow @WTOP on Twitter.

(Copyright 2013 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)

Emergency guide: What you should do to prepare for emergencies

By WTOP Staff
WASHINGTON — Do you know what you'd do if an emergency hits? What if you're at work, your spouse is stuck in traffic and your children are in school? There's no way to plan for every emergency, but you can make sure you're prepared for different scenarios, including making a plan for your family and building a kit of emergency supplies.
Read Next Story

Related Stories

Cards, gifts cross religious lines

Mind your mouth: How oral health affects overall health

5 questions to ask before buying a winter home