lnxguru
01-04-2008, 07:29 PM
NEW YORK - Geeta Citygirl just figured something was wrong with her phone when she realized the greetings she was sending as the ball dropped New Year's Eve weren't getting through. In Los Angeles, a half-dozen New Year's text messages bounced back to Reggie Cameron on Wednesday, more than 24 hours after he thought he sent them out.
In fact, so many people tried to send text messages on New Year's Eve that networks got jam-packed and many of the missives arrived hours later — or not at all.
"Think of any traffic artery during rush hour: You have a large number of people who are trying to access it at the same time," said Joe Farren, assistant vice president of public affairs for CTIA-The Wireless Association, a wireless industry group. "It's really no different with regard to wireless networks."
Millions and millions of messages did get through New Year's Eve, and a minor delay in a holiday wish is hardly the end of the world. But there have been multiple occasions in recent years when getting in touch with loved ones was more vital — the Sept. 11 attacks, the 2003 blackout, Hurricane Katrina.
Source: AP via Yahoo! News (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080104/ap_on_hi_te/text_messaging_networks)
In fact, so many people tried to send text messages on New Year's Eve that networks got jam-packed and many of the missives arrived hours later — or not at all.
"Think of any traffic artery during rush hour: You have a large number of people who are trying to access it at the same time," said Joe Farren, assistant vice president of public affairs for CTIA-The Wireless Association, a wireless industry group. "It's really no different with regard to wireless networks."
Millions and millions of messages did get through New Year's Eve, and a minor delay in a holiday wish is hardly the end of the world. But there have been multiple occasions in recent years when getting in touch with loved ones was more vital — the Sept. 11 attacks, the 2003 blackout, Hurricane Katrina.
Source: AP via Yahoo! News (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080104/ap_on_hi_te/text_messaging_networks)