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Have you ever tried to text or call someone just as the clock struck 12:00 a.m. only to find out that the text message wouldn’t send and the call wouldn’t go through?  You’re not alone.  On midnight many people attempt to call and send texts to loved ones and friends wishing them well in the New Year, and so all the heavy volume jams up and it takes a while for anything to get through.  To fight this, Sprint has been preparing their wireless networks since 2006 for times like these.

Bob Azzi, Senior Vice President of Network Services, had this to say about New Year’s:

“New Year’s is one of the highest ‘text messaging’ days of the year. We anticipate traffic volumes this New Year’s to be about 200 percent, double the normal rate. Every year, we enhance our networks in areas like New York’s Times Square, Las Vegas and in other cities across the nation where our customers may be celebrating.”

Since 2006, they have invested nearly $15 billion to enhance their wireless networks for events in which lots of data is exchanged.  Major cities across America, such as Times Square in New York, Los Angeles in California have received higher network capabilities as those are generally hotspots on New Year’s Eve. 

Moreover, Azzi adds:

“Holidays and large-scale events do put additional load on wireless networks, so preparation is critical to ensure high-performing networks, when demand is at its highest. Sprint’s experience includes preparing for holidays; sponsorship events, such as NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races and the Super Bowl; network preparations before, during and after natural disasters; and political conventions and events, including the upcoming presidential inauguration. Every event provides an opportunity for us to put our experience into action for our customers, so that they have a great experience when using their Sprint devices and services.”

We shall see tomorrow (12/31) how well Sprint’s enhanced networks hold up.  If you have a Sprint phone, be sure to let us know in the comments if you were able to send/receive texts at midnight and if you were able to call/receive calls. 

Via [BusinessWire]