Government Officials Warn iPad Could Take Down Networks

Government officials warned that the Apple iPad could bring wireless networks to a stand still.

The IBTimes relays a warning from Obama administration official Phil Bellaria who is the director of scenario planning for the Omnibus Broadband Initiative.

"Apple's iPad announcement has set off a new round of reports of networks overburdened by a data flow they were not built to handle," said Bellaria. "With the iPad pointing to even greater demand for mobile broadband on the horizon, we must ensure that network congestion doesn't choke off a service that consumers clearly find so appealing or frustrate mobile broadband's ability to keep us competitive in the global broadband economy."


Bellaria compared the iPad's debut to AOL's 1996 decision to offer unlimited dial-up Internet access to users.

"For months, users had trouble connecting and, once they did connect, experienced frequent service outages. The FCC even held hearings on the problem," said Bellaria.

Bellaria also stressed the importance of updated wireless infrastructure and regulatory policies.

"Reaching an always-on wireless broadband future means that the spectrum can no longer remain attached solely to uses deemed valuable decades ago," he said.


The IBTimes notes that The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provides millions of dollars in funding for wireless network upgrades. AT&T has promised significant upgrades to their network in preparation for the added demand.

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