Question
why aren't the cell phones and other wireless communication systems working in New Orleans? What has stopped the signals from going to the satellites?
Answer
Few people have satellite phones. Cell phones have a limited range (on the order of a mile), so they need to be within range of a functioning (and powered) tower or antenna array. Each tower then re-transmits to an adjacent tower, until the encoded signals get to a central station. Apparently much of the city doesn't have power, so there are probably few continuous chains of functioning cell towers to get signals in and out of the area.<BR><BR>I would think that satellite phones, if their batteries are still charged, should work.
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