Eclipse Viewings Expected to Put Pressure on Cellphone Networks

 

With Monday’s solar eclipse expected to draw tens of thousands to regions along the path of totality in Eastern Canada, major cellphone and internet providers say they’re ready to handle a surge in wireless traffic in those areas.

Cities such as Niagara Falls, Ontario, and Montreal have been bracing for an influx of tourists this weekend as people hope to catch a glimpse – through their special protective glasses – of the phenomenon Monday afternoon. The rare alignment of the sun, Earth, and moon means other cities and towns in Ontario, Quebec, and the Atlantic provinces could also see unusually high visitor levels.

“As with any large event that brings high levels of visitation into a concentrated area, it is possible that cell signal may be compromised,” the City of Niagara Falls said in a post on its website. The city said it is expecting up to one million visitors over the coming days, which would be “by far, the largest crowd we’ve ever experienced.”

But Canada’s largest telecommunications carriers say they have been preparing for the eclipse and are confident their networks will hold up. Rogers Communications Inc., BCE Inc., and Telus Corp. said they would deploy additional infrastructure to certain areas to prevent any potential disruptions. For Rogers and Bell, that includes using portable mobile towers, known as Cell on Wheels (COWs), to increase capacity. The companies also said their technical teams would pause routine maintenance work that could potentially reduce service levels.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment for many Canadians, and we are getting ready to handle the potential increase in wireless traffic in communities along the path of totality,” said Rogers spokesman Cam Gordon in a statement. “We have also conducted network health checks, completed targeted upgrades, and are optimizing sites to add more capacity.”

Bell spokeswoman Jacqueline Michelis said a dedicated team would monitor network performance throughout Monday. “In preparation for the solar eclipse, our teams are putting measures in place to ensure the network continues to run optimally in regions where we anticipate large crowds to gather,” she said in a statement.

Enhancing network capacity by deploying portable cell sites is one of the most effective ways that telecom companies can prepare for increased demand. As Canadians eagerly await this celestial event, the telecom industry is working diligently to ensure that eclipse viewers stay connected during this awe-inspiring moment.