Many times during yesterday’s unfortunate events at Virginia Tech, the problem of many of the people needing communication being in transit was discussed.
Mobile text messages(sms) and potential alerts were mentioned on numerous occasions as something that could have improved communication. While I firmly believe in the potential of mobile search and mobile communication combined with LBS to create increases in quality of life and lift ROI, yesterday also showed some limitations. Chief among these is the fact that there were numerous reports of “not being able to get through on mobile phones for hours”. Put simply, in most places, the mobile networks can’t handle everyone trying to use their phones all at once as they did during the Virginia Tech crisis yesterday and other crisis situations of the past. It appears that increased usage of Internet and mobile search services will tax existing infrastructure to it’s limits in many places and I’ve not seen heavy discussion of this issue or potential solutions.
Bleeding edge mobile technical solutions alone aren’t enough. Reliable networks are a must to make mobile search and mobile communication of the type that could have helped if utilized yesterday a reality. Let us ask the leaders of the mobile operators to make those networks a reality around the world using consistent standards that puts the customer experience first. Let’s start the process of addressing these bottlenecks now before the next crisis or surge in usage of services takes place.
Excellent point David!
When I was in the Blue Mountains of Australia about 5 years ago visiting friends, I commented to my friend how we were out in the middle of nowhere, yet there were mobile towers. He noted that the government decided to have a seamless grid, even in remote areas.
Last year I experienced this in Denmark. When talking with our friend there, who is in the Danish national guard, he remarked how they deployed an SMS system whereby all guard members can be reached and deployed by phone message!
We are behind here… especially when you need to subscribe to one of the lowest-end providers to use your phone in the CTA tunnels of Chicago.
mp/m