Bad cell phone service today?

[Linas]

Is anyone else unable to make calls today? My phone will not dial out a call saying network busy. A friend i talked to on the net said the same thing was happening to her with a different carrier. I wonder if maybe there is some solar flare or something interrupting the service. Anyone else experiencing problems elsewhere than chicago?

[hbarcat]

A coronal hole opened up in the sun yesterday. the resulting solar emissions have the potential to disrupt cell phone service (and also the electrical grid and other services) but it's tough to say if that is what is actually causing the disruptions. I see you live in Chicago. I'm out in the far west burbs and I've made a few cell phone calls today with no problems.



Coronal holes are places in the sun's atmosphere where the sun's magnetic field opens up and allows the solar wind to escape. A stream of solar wind flowing from this coronal hole should reach Earth on Dec. 30th or 31st. The impact could light up the Arctic Circle, punctuating the year with aurora borealis.

http://www.spaceweather.com/

[Snakeman1066]

Made a few Calls today with no problems....but i'm in the Grand Ol' Republic of Texas