US wireless carriers are boosting capacity ahead of the presidential inauguration of Barack Obama but there may be network congestion as millions flock to the US capital, a trade association warned.<\/p>\n
Noting that an estimated two to four million people are expected to attend Obama’s January 20 swearing-in, CTIA-The Wireless Association said they should be prepared for delays when trying to use mobile devices.<\/p>\n
"The wireless industry is preparing for record traffic during the inauguration," said Steve Largent, the association’s president.<\/p>\n
"Companies are undertaking extraordinary efforts to expand their networks’ capacities," he said in a statement, "but it’s important for the public to understand that there will likely be some delays.<\/p>\n
"Just as restaurants, trains, and highways have maximum capacity limits, wireless networks have also been built to meet the needs of a large, but limited amount of people," Largent said.<\/p>\n
The association advised mobile users who may have trouble getting through to "text, don’t talk."<\/p>\n
"Text messages and emails can get through wireless networks when it is too congested to make voice calls," it said.<\/p>\n
The wireless association is not the only group trying to ensure a smooth inauguration experience.<\/p>\n
Qorvis Communications and the law firm Patton Boggs on Thursday launched a software application for the Apple iPhone aimed at helping visitors attending the inauguration.<\/p>\n
The application provides information about the inaugural galas and events, directions on foot or by metro, restaurant guides, weather forecasts and the locations of the nearest Starbucks, Wi-Fi zones or ATM cash machines.<\/p>\n
"We wanted to offer the public a useful and speedy way to obtain information about this historic event," said Michael Petruzzello, managing partner of Qorvis.<\/p>\n
The company said versions of the application for the Blackberry and "Google phone" were in the works.<\/p>\n
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