-- query from Iper SMS terror warning London IP piece - but will it work during terrorist attack when cell phone bandwidth is overloaded or commandeered for emergency use as has been mandated in US after 9/11

[Dave Farber <dave () farber net>]

------ Forwarded Message
From: Paul Foldes <pfoldes () eidmgt com>
Date: Thu, 13 Feb 2003 21:00:53 -0500
To: dave () farber net
Subject: SMS terror warning London IP piece - but will it work during
terrorist attack when cell phone bandwidth is overloaded or commandeered for
emergency use as has been mandated in US after 9/11

Dave, for IP, if you agree subject merits attention

Two things came to mind when I read this story today.

Will SMS messaging work when bandwidth for individual use is constricted
due to 'priority first responder/police' use -- as phone companies have
been instructed by Government after 9/11?

and will SMS work when the cellular network is overloaded by everyone else
phoning to contact friends and family on the remaining bandwidth -- as on
9/11

I recall that cell system was both damaged, and overloaded.

Blackberry, on a different frequency and network worked when cells did not,
due to damage/congestion on cellular network.

Wondering if any IP readers have an informed opinion on this as I just gave
up my blackberry service for sms service. In light of current hightened
alert, wondering about wisdom of such action.

Paul

At 03:10 PM 2/13/03 -0500, you wrote:
> Thursday, 13 February, 2003, 14:26 GMT
> Text service warns of attacks
>
> Cats will keep people away from danger areas
>
> Londoners are getting a text message service that will tell them what to
> do if terrorists attack the capital.
>
> The City Alert Texting System (Cats) will warn people where attacks are
> taking place and pass on information about what to do to people caught in
> an incident.
>
> Londoners sign up to the commercial service using the postcode of the
> areas in which they live and work.
>
> Once the system is working in London, it will be rolled out to other
> cities across the UK.
>
> Watching London
>
> The Cats service will pass on emergency news alerts to subscribers about
> life-threatening events taking place in London.
>
> "We were horrified by what happened in New York on 11 September which
> demonstrated the vulnerability of major urban areas in open societies,"
> said Cats founder David Pieterse.


------ End of Forwarded Message

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