Washington carriers boost networks for Obama inauguration

AS MILLIONS of people are expected to flock to Washington, DC for the inauguration of the first black US President, network operators are all aflutter about installing more capacity.

However the CTIA Wireless Association said that there is no way that Washington will get enough additional network capacity installed in time and there will be network congestion on the day.

It's been estimated that Washington will increase in population by two to four million people for Obama's January 20 swearing-in ceremony.

Steve Largent, the association's president, said that the wireless industry is making "extraordinary efforts" to expand their networks' capacities. However it is important for the public to understand that there will likely be some network delays.

He advised mobile users to "text, don't talk" because text messages and emails can get through wireless networks when they are too congested to handle all voice calls.

Meanwhile, Qorvis Communications has launched an Iphone software application for visitors attending the inauguration. It will provide information about the inaugural galas and events, directions for getting around on foot or by metro, restaurant guides, weather forecasts and the locations of the nearest Starbucks, Wi-Fi zones and ATM cash machines.

Versions of the application for the Blackberry and "Google phone" were also in the works, the company said. µ

L'Inq
AP