ALBAWABA – As millions anticipate the upcoming April 8 total solar eclipse, set to travel over North America for the first time since 2017 and one last time before 2044, experts warn of cellular networks going down as people gather to watch the celestial phenomenon causing immense pressure on network infrastructure.
According to NASA, 215 million adult Americans likely witnessed the solar eclipse in person or on a screen. In reference to the 2017 eclipse, the path of totality for the forthcoming total solar eclipse will be much larger with 31.6 million people residing in the path compared to 12 million in 2017. Additionally, compared to the 2017 course, the eclipse in 2024 will cross over greater number of towns and populated regions.
The Arkansas Division of Emergency Management has confirmed worries about network coverage, stating “Our communications team has been monitoring potential issues with cell phone coverage as part of our planning. With the increase in visitors to the state, we anticipate that cell phone communication may be impacted. We are working closely with our partners and taking necessary actions to address the capacity issues and minimize any potential impact on communication services.”
Cellular network providers have been on a mission to solidify their networks since the last eclipse, with T-Mobile commenting according to the Mirror “T-Mobile has increased investments in network hardening by more than 30 per cent over the past two years to reduce service interruptions,” and president of technology, Ulf Ewaldsson stating that the company is “working hand-in-hand with state and local authorities to address the anticipated surge in network traffic to guarantee seamless connectivity for all.”
AT&T’s Area Retail Sales Manager, Phil Coleman, has stated according to KTBS “We know that when the last solar eclipse we had some network issues where people were having trouble communicating, sending text messages or posting on social media but a lot has changed since then,” adding that current 5G networks are better equipped to handle such network pressure compared to 4G used in 2017.
