Why did some cell phone networks stop working after the 9/29/08 5.4 earthquake?

Question

9/29/08 - Los Angeles, the 5.4 quake; I can't believe that a small quake would bring down a whole network and effectively stranded so many people in what could have been an emergency crisis. What brought the cell phone networks down? Thousands of people now rely solely on the cell phone for emergencies. What is in place as a backup? How does one contact family, fire, police, medical, or anyone else if we are left at the mercy of such delicate technology that can be so easily disrupted at any moment? Is there a back up plan?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080729/ap_on_re_us/california_earthquake

Answer 1

There no way to really explain this topic. Technology is man made and some times man over think themselves. God is the answer for all thing understood and misunderstood.

Answer 2

There is gonna be an earthquake in Cali on Sept 29, 2008? How do we know that?

Answer 3

TV news said that verizon was knocked out of service & some land lines. You can't depend on cell phones in emergencies.Satellite phones are more often used in emergency situations.

Answer 4

it was just an overloads of calls

the towers can only take soo much

yeah

didn't get in contact with family

until after an hr or so

if they are close you can drive by to see em

there are other forms of communication

Answer 5

My phone is taking 5-10 min just for others to recieve a text message.

Answer 6

Well, its 7/29/08...and  its 5.8 and the size of the quake does not always indicate the damage done.  But mostly I imagine every one got on their cell phones to check on loved ones.

No conspiracy theory...other than bad information.  The world still has other forms to communicate and texting is not life.

Answer 7

In the UK, mobile networks are taken out of public use to allow for their increased use by the emergency services.

I thought 9/29/08 in American meant 29 September.  It is only July in the UK.

Answer 8

They had overload of calls.  Emergency calls could no be made so the city urged everyone not to use their cell phones unless they had an emergency.  The towers can only handle so much at once.  Police, fire, ambulance, and maintenance crews were not able to get their calls due to the overload.