Most mobile telephone networks operate close to capacity during normal times , and large spikes in call volumes caused by widespread emergencies often overload the systems when they are needed most . Examples reported in the media where this has occurred include the 1999 İzmit earthquake , the September 11 attacks , the 2006 Kiholo Bay earthquake , the 2003 Northeast blackouts , Hurricane Katrina , the 2007 Minnesota bridge collapse , the 2010 Chile earthquake , and the 2010 Haiti earthquake . Reporters and journalists have also been using satellite phones to communicate and report on events in war zones such as Iraq
2006 Kiholo Bay earthquake
2006 Kiholo Bay earthquake
Satellite phone