Democracy Dies in Darkness

Eclipse tourists should plan for overloaded cell networks

Tips to prepare in case a surge of visitors bogs down mobile service

By
April 2, 2024 at 12:30 p.m. EDT
An illustration of an eclipse surrounded by hands holding phones.
(Illustration by Elena Lacey/The Washington Post; iStock)
5 min

If you witness nature’s majesty and can’t live-stream it on TikTok or post in your group chat, did it even happen?

In places around the United States where people will flock to see next week’s solar eclipse, some local officials have warned that mobile service could temporarily flake out.