The mobile networks of KPN, Vodafone and T-Mobile are likely to be flat during any Race. The providers work together to make as much as possible, temporary masts to put down, but it’s probably not enough.
The providers can be much extra to call, sms and data capture with temporary cell towers, but there is a limit to what is possible, says spokesman Roderick Wood of T-Mobile. “If there is indeed two million people, of which many call, uploading photos, and busy with Facebook and Twitter, the network the pressure is not likely to.”
KPN, Vodafone and T-Mobile are working together to ensure as much as possible, mobile masts to put down. “We are not going to separate masts drop, but we have agreed that we are allowed to use each other’s mobile towers.” Roaming on a different network will not happen. “We can use the locations of KPN and Vodafone, but we use our own equipment.”
Vodafone will be the masts that were planned to build in the province of Friesland, extra fast setting-up, says spokesman Richard Knife. “In addition, we are expanding the capacity of existing towers, something we also already had plans. That was on the schedule for later this year, but we do so now.” According to Mes is the ‘Elfstedentocht’, the first test for data networks. “It is the first time that such a large unexpected event is in the era of a lot of mobile data traffic.”
The cell towers are connected to the network with fixed connections or a microwave, so says KPN. “There are so-called mobile containers equipped: small containers with different points of connection for temporary masts. Especially on the so-called focal points where many people come together, then the infrastructure should be so designed that the many temporary builds can be connected to the national network.” Providers to put cell towers more often, for example on festivals like Lowlands or Pinkpop.
It is unclear what Vodafone and KPN are going to do, but T-Mobile think strongly about the prioritization of certain network traffic. “If it’s crowded, can we upload a photo in the waiting for a phone call to make it possible”, says Van Houten. “This kind of measures is necessary to ensure that the network as long as possible stays in the air.” KPN hint at the same. “If large numbers of people congregate, the quality and accessibility of the networks and, above all, of importance for safety: a social task that the necessary attention demands.”
Thanks to the long period of frost this year is a significant chance that there is an Elfstedentocht. The last time the schaatstocht was held was in January 1997.
Update Wednesday: Response Vodafone added.