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August Solar Eclipse Could Disrupt Roads and Cellular Networks

Posted by BeauHD on from the calm-before-the-storm dept.

GeoGreg writes: On August 21, 2017, the contiguous United States will experience its first total solar eclipse since 1979. According to GreatAmericanEclipse.com's Michael Zeiler, approximately 200 million people live within one day's drive of the eclipse. Zeiler projects that between 1.85 to 7.4 million people will attempt to visit the path of totality. As the eclipse approaches, articles are appearing predicting the possibility of automobile traffic jamming rural roads. There is also concern about the ability of rural cellular networks to handle such a large influx. AT&T is bringing in Cell On Wheel (COW) systems to rural locations in Kentucky, Idaho, and Oregon, while Verizon is building a temporary tower in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The disruption could be frustrating to those trying to get to the eclipse or share their photos via social networking. If cellular networks can't handle the data, apps like Waze won't be much help in avoiding the traffic. If communication is essential near the eclipse path, Astronomy Magazine recommends renting a satellite phone.

4 of 95 comments (clear)

  1. I'm gonna be RICH!!! by hyades1 · · Score: 2, Funny

    1. Get a nice sound system and a big tent. Head down to the southern US and hold a revival meeting.

    2. Claim The Lord is going to put out the Sun if they don't pray hard and give me a lot of money.

    3. Profit!

    --
    I've calculated my velocity with such exquisite precision that I have no idea where I am.
  2. Re:Navigation by sjames · · Score: 4, Funny

    When the app makers are busy apping their app apps, they tend to forget that the entire network doesn't look like it does in their offices and that there might be places where there is no signal at all. Others are somewhat aware and tell their children scary stories about people who go to those places and aren't heard from for minutes at a time!

  3. Re:Navigation by Mr+D+from+63 · · Score: 3, Funny

    I think I have some offline maps stored on paper somewhere.

  4. FTFY Re:I'm gonna be RICH!!! by OzPeter · · Score: 4, Funny

    FTFY

    1. Get a nice sound system and a big tent. Head down to the southern US and hold a revival meeting.

    2. Claim The Lord is going to put out the Sun if they don't pray hard and give me a lot of money.

    3. Prophet!

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