... Happened in NYC during the 9-11 attack too. ,,, This is a bandwidth issue.
Two million New Yorkers trying to use your cell phones at the same time will take down the system.
There are not that many free circuits.
Freerepublic.com was crystal clear at that time because Freepers knew patience, and waited for someone knowledgeable to post...
There was serious concern that for Y2K, everyone trying to wish everyone else Happy New Year! at that same time would take out the phone system hard...
... Happened in NYC during the 9-11 attack too. ,,, This is a bandwidth issue.
It was only PARTLY a bandwidth issue, and it sure was not a planned shutdown.
The truth is much simpler. (it always is).
The antenna mast on the WTC held a majority of cells that could reach the downtown area. Being the highest place, it was the obvious place, and lots of companies rented space on that mast. It was the first building hit, and the aircraft cut all the cables to the antenna even before the building fell.
