Critics say cell phone system isn't ready for next big earthquake

Many cell phone calls failed to get through, while some land lines were briefly spotty. And in the wake of Tuesday's moderate quake in California and Nevada, many people were left trying to determine how they should communicate when the next one hits. The Mercury News

"Cell phone providers acknowledged brief disruptions in service, but say their systems aren't designed to accommodate the dramatic increases in call volume that occurred in the minutes after Tuesday's 8:04 p.m. Alum Rock quake.

In a bigger disaster, cell phone companies say, people shouldn't count on being able to use their cell phones immediately.

... For some, the solution was simple: text messaging. "

emily | 9:34 AM | |
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