5 problems with cellphone networks

Smartphone users blame congested airwaves for slow service. The truth is that many culprits cause problems for all wireless operators.

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Chokepoint No. 1: Landlines
Chokepoint No. 1: Landlines
Data bits flow from cell towers through fiber and copper lines to a switching station. Data and calls are then sent to their final destinations.

The scheme, designed pre-smartphone, can push only 75% of a tower's maximum capacity to the next switch or endpoint.

With wireless data expected to more than double annually from 2008 to 2013 as video and apps grow more popular, landlines are a growing problem.
By Scott Cendrowski; graphics by Jason Lee

NEXT: Chokepoint No. 2: Switching gear
Last updated March 12 2010: 6:08 AM ET
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