Calls refuse to connect. You might try a dozen times to get a ring. Calls that do connect often drop. This torment usually goes from about 30 minutes before the game to 30 minutes after.

I first noticed this phenomenon last football season. It showed up again a week ago during the Washington State game. When it happened again on Saturday during the Weber State game, I called my provider’s technical support (AT&T) to find out what was going on. After six (!) attempts, it finally rang through.

Turns out my hunch was right. Cell phone providers often can’t handle the wireless load during major events. It’s a known problem all across the country. The technician I spoke with lives in Cleveland and said the same thing happens with NFL Browns games and anywhere else that hosts huge crowds. He said that other carriers, like Verizon, experience the same hit, but each company handles it differently. AT&T’s solution is to trot out temporary towers.

Whatever they were doing didn’t seem to be helping much in Provo on Saturday.