Monday’s solar eclipse is expected to attract tens of thousands of people to areas along the path of totality in eastern Canada. The main mobile phone and internet service providers say they are prepared to cope with an increase in wireless traffic in these regions.
Cities like Niagara Falls and Montreal are preparing to welcome an influx of tourists this weekend, hoping to catch a glimpse of the phenomenon Monday afternoon through their special protective glasses. The rare alignment of the Sun, Earth and Moon means other cities and towns in Ontario, Quebec and the Atlantic provinces could also experience unusually high numbers of visitors.
“As is the case with any large-scale event that attracts a large number of visitors to a concentrated area, it is possible that the cellular signal may be compromised,” warned the City of Niagara Falls in a message published on its website web.
The city said it was expecting up to a million visitors over the next few days, which would be “by far the largest crowds” it had ever seen. In this message, the City warns local businesses that visitors may urgently request to use their landline if cell phone service becomes unreliable.
However, Canada’s major telecommunications operators say they have prepared for the eclipse and are confident their networks will hold up.
Rogers Communications, BCE and Telus announced they would deploy additional infrastructure in certain areas to prevent any potential disruption. For Rogers and Bell, this includes using portable mobile towers, known as Cell on Wheels (COW), to increase capacity.
Routine maintenance interrupted
The companies also said their technical teams would halt routine maintenance work that could reduce service levels.
“This is a unique time for many Canadians and we are preparing to manage the potential increase in wireless traffic in communities along the path of totality,” said Cam Gordon, spokesperson for Rogers, in a press release.
We also performed network health checks, completed targeted upgrades and optimized sites to increase capacity.
Cam Gordon, spokesperson for Rogers, in a press release
Jacqueline Michelis, a Bell spokeswoman, said a specialized team would monitor network performance all day Monday.
“In preparation for the solar eclipse, our teams are putting measures in place to ensure the network continues to operate optimally in areas where we anticipate large numbers of people,” she said in a communicated.
Portable cell sites
According to Manav Gupta, chief technology officer and Canadian technical sales team leader at IBM Canada, improving network capacity through the deployment of portable cell sites is one of the most effective ways telecommunications companies to prepare for an increase in demand.
He says Cell on Wheels “can quickly provide additional coverage and capacity where it’s needed.”
Providers will need to prepare for increased network traffic resulting from increased use of telecommunications services during the event, for example by streaming the eclipse, sharing content on social media or making calls.
Manav Gupta, Chief Technology Officer and Canadian Technical Sales Team Leader at IBM Canada
Unlike its two main competitors, Telus does not need to deploy Cell on Wheels, assured spokesperson Jacinthe Beaulieu. She explained that Telus has made “massive investments in [son] network” in recent years, which will allow it to offer increased capacity on Monday.
“Our infrastructure can support the increased number of visitors expected during the eclipse,” she assured.
Mme Beaulieu said Telus held internal preparation meetings and was in contact with public safety and government officials ahead of the eclipse. Telus has an “emergency response process” in place in case any issues arise on Monday.
Quebecor confident
Quebecor said in a statement that “the strength and robustness of [son] network should ensure continuity of wireless service” on the day of the eclipse for all Videotron, Freedom Mobile and Fizz subscribers. The company added, however, that it would monitor the situation before and during the eclipse and “intervene quickly if necessary.”
“Remember that the eclipse itself has no effect on telecommunications networks, unlike a solar flare which can affect airwaves and electronic equipment,” the company reminded in an unattributed statement .
It should also be noted that the total eclipse route will spread potential viewing sites over a relatively large area, reducing the risk of network congestion. However, temporary slowdowns remain possible if larger than expected crowds materialize in certain locations.
Extract from an unattributed press release from Quebecor
The City of Niagara-on-the-Lake said area residents should “consider developing a plan in advance for communicating with family and friends, and ensuring their phones are fully charged to the day of the eclipse.
“If you regularly use cash or want to have it on hand, consider visiting your local bank or ATM in advance,” the City said on its website. Due to increased cellular traffic, some Wi-Fi enabled ATMs may be unavailable. »
Although phone signals and internet connections are not directly affected by solar eclipses, which do not emit radiation or energies that disrupt electromagnetic waves, Gupta said they could cause “minor disruptions.” in satellite communications.
“My advice would be, as with any notable event, to proactively plan for the worst,” Mr. Gupta said. Collecting data, developing a strategy, and preparing for any potential issues is a good practice, regardless of the challenge or problem. »