Wireless companies warn of U.S. inauguration delays

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Mobile phone companies are bracing for a surge in capacity in wireless calls, texting and video sharing, with up to 4 million people expected to gather here for the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama.

Sprint Nextel Corp is among the companies preparing for increased demand, by beefing up equipment at existing cell towers, adding additional telephone line connections and employing satellite trucks to patrol the area in and around the nation's capital.

The Overland Park, Kansas-based company said it is boosting capacity by 90 percent on its network for mostly business and public safety customers, and 40 percent for the network for mainly individual users.

Rivals AT&T Inc, Verizon Communications and Deutsche Telekom AG, which owns T-Mobile, are doing the same.

"It's the mother of all demand," said Joseph Farren, an assistant vice president with the wireless trade group in Washington.

The association is warning customers to expect delays and advising users to help keep the lines clear by texting instead of calling and snapping videos but not sending them right away.

T-Mobile said its investment for the event runs in the millions of dollars.

Sprint officials would not say whether they expect to make or lose money on the event but said they are spending a significant amount of resources to prepare.