Cellular Fails Again in Earthquake

[K2GW]

Once again, cellular, landline and wireless networks collapsed under heavy traffic loads and lack of adequate back-up power in the Hawaii earthquake.

We as hams will always be needed for those first six hours or so when everyone calls their Aunt Tilly to see if she's OK.  The commercial providers will never put in enough capacity for such surge situations as it's unecconomical for them.  

So we really need to be able to respond immediately, including having pre-assigned locations for everyone on our teams.  We can then adjust those assignements as we find what's actually needed

The following are a couple press quotes following the Hawaii Earthquake.

73

Gary, K2GW

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Relay stations for cellular telephone networks went to batteries and there was cell overload as people called loved ones. Many found they could call the Mainland but could not complete local calls. One reporter reached a source two miles away by getting a colleague in California to conference them together. Wireless Internet networks went down for lack of power. Officials communicated with each other mainly through text-messaging.

Pacific Business News  October 16, 2006

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Hawaii's radio hams came through again

Just 30 seconds after Sunday's tremor, radio hams on all islands activated their HF and VHF nets to pass information and coordinate with Civil Defense, the Red Cross, hospitals and others.  Using low-power, hand-held and mobile VHF transceivers plus HF (shortwave) transceivers utilizing emergency power supplies, they once again demonstrated their value (much as they did during Hurricane Iniki).

Honolulu Star Bulletin  October 17, 2006


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[KD5PKS]

Those "officials" don't have a clue what is available to them if they were limited by overwhelmed cell phone systems. There is a service called: Government Emergency Telecommunications Service - AKA GETS. This service allows 'officials' the ability to have their calls pushed through the system and voice channels and trunks will be cleared to make way for the official calls. It works from landlines and cell phone lines and I have used it after hurricane Katrina.