NORTHEAST U.S. -- T-Mobile briefly overloaded, 4th of July in Boston

[SteveW]

Since people often post comparative experiences with carriers in this forum, I thought I would post an interesting, if predictable network overload that I experienced. The short version:

T-Mobile was briefly overloaded just after the 4th of July fireworks in Boston. The message on my LG phone said "No circuit channel available" (or maybe it said "No channel circuit available" - it only flashed up briefly before ending the call). My brother-in-law's Verizon phone got through and 10 minutes later, T-mobile was OK. I had never seen that message before.

The long version:

Every 4th of July the Boston Pops Orchestra plays an outdoor concert in the Esplanade park along the Charles River, along with special guests (this year, Rascal Flatts). In keeping with longstanding tradition, the 1812 Overture, complete with cannons, is played last. Then there is a spectacular fireworks display, launched from a barge in the middle of the Charles River Basin, and easily visible from both the Boston and Cambridge sides. Literally hundreds of thousands of people come into Boston / Cambridge for this event and many make a day of it. In a typical year 400-500,000 watch the fireworks.

This year I was hosting my sister, brother-in-law and nieces aged 12 and almost-6. Because we wanted to eat a relaxed dinner at home and then drive to the fireworks as late as possible my wife agreed to drop us off on the Cambridge side (Memorial Drive at MIT) and then pick us up afterward (she's not big on fireworks and has seen it many times). The girls were impressed, which was the goal.

As soon as the fireworks were over I called my wife to tell her the direction we were walking in, so we could meet. I couldn't get through on 2 tries and my phone displayed the message above, which I haven't seen in a year and a half of being a T-Mobile customer.

Now it doesn't surprise me that when 500,000 people all switch on their phones, the carriers are going to get overloaded. Verizon did better than T-Mobile in this unscientific experiment.



SW

[Eric47]

interesting. thanks.

[tmobileman]

Originally Posted by SteveW

Since people often post comparative experiences with carriers in this forum, I thought I would post an interesting, if predictable network overload that I experienced. The short version:

T-Mobile was briefly overloaded just after the 4th of July fireworks in Boston. The message on my LG phone said "No circuit channel available" (or maybe it said "No channel circuit available" - it only flashed up briefly before ending the call). My brother-in-law's Verizon phone got through and 10 minutes later, T-mobile was OK. I had never seen that message before.

The long version:

Every 4th of July the Boston Pops Orchestra plays an outdoor concert in the Esplanade park along the Charles River, along with special guests (this year, Rascal Flatts). In keeping with longstanding tradition, the 1812 Overture, complete with cannons, is played last. Then there is a spectacular fireworks display, launched from a barge in the middle of the Charles River Basin, and easily visible from both the Boston and Cambridge sides. Literally hundreds of thousands of people come into Boston / Cambridge for this event and many make a day of it. In a typical year 400-500,000 watch the fireworks.

This year I was hosting my sister, brother-in-law and nieces aged 12 and almost-6. Because we wanted to eat a relaxed dinner at home and then drive to the fireworks as late as possible my wife agreed to drop us off on the Cambridge side (Memorial Drive at MIT) and then pick us up afterward (she's not big on fireworks and has seen it many times). The girls were impressed, which was the goal.

As soon as the fireworks were over I called my wife to tell her the direction we were walking in, so we could meet. I couldn't get through on 2 tries and my phone displayed the message above, which I haven't seen in a year and a half of being a T-Mobile customer.

Now it doesn't surprise me that when 500,000 people all switch on their phones, the carriers are going to get overloaded. Verizon did better than T-Mobile in this unscientific experiment.
SW

Damn that bites, sorry we let you down, but man that sounds like it was one awesome event, I love it when artists from any Genre accompany an orcestra most of the time it turns out awesome.

[EdwardP]

I guess Steve hasn't been to Salem on Halloween.

Seriously though, it does sound like the network was temporarily overloaded at the time. I'd bet that there were tons of people sending pics of the fireworks, if they were not on a voice call.

I'd be disappointed myself if it were me in that situation.

[ansky]

The only time I have seen a network overloaded was when I went to Mardis Gras a few years ago. I had Cingular at the time. My friends with T-mobile and Verizon also had trouble making calls. You would think the cell companies would be more prepared for big events like this.

[Barciurek]

Every single Polish network is overloaded at midnight on New Year's.. no luck of even sending a text message without a delay.

[EdwardP]

Originally Posted by Barciurek

Every single Polish network is overloaded at midnight on New Year's.. no luck of even sending a text message without a delay.

If PTC/ERA eventually becomes T-Mobile Poland, hopefully that problem will go away on that network.

[Barciurek]

I don't think it will ever go away.. it's just normal for everyone to call/text at that midnight.. People are used to it too it's a special night after all
BTW DT has 97% of PTC.. I think it should happen shortly

[TelcomJunkie]

The New Years Eve blocking issues are unavoidable, no carrier will layout the cash to prevent that one.

Special events, in a limited area like this one can be avoided if the engineering department is on the ball.