From the NYT, an interesting piece on the geeky underpinnings of the Democratic National Convention's communication infrastructure:
Most cellular carriers are augmenting their coverage in Boston to make sure the surge in traffic does not lead to a rash of busy signals and disconnected calls. Nextel, the official mobile provider to both conventions, is deploying its iDEN network with encryption codes used by the National Security Agency to make sure no one eavesdrops on all the deal making.
The company is supplying modified BlackBerry devices that allow conventioneers to access the Internet wirelessly at high speeds. It has also helped connect the many public safety agencies, which typically communicate over different frequencies. Nextel expects its customers to log millions of minutes on its DirectConnect service, which turns cellphones into walkie-talkies.
"It's like organizing a wedding on steroids," said Matt Foosaner, senior director of Nextel's emergency response team, referring to the arrangements his company is making for the conventioneers. "They are not going to stay tied down to a landline."
