There are many who think telecom networks should be congestion free, always, like during or just before a disaster.   It is practically impossible because no network can be economically designed and run for unusual peak loads.  The report that mobile companies in the US are asking their customers to go easy on calls and MMS, is illustrative of the phenomenon.  Why would they walk away from an opportunity to make money?

The largest cellphone carriers, fearful that a communicative citizenry will overwhelm their networks, have taken the unusual step of asking people to limit their phone calls and to delay sending photos. The carriers are also spending millions of dollars to temporarily and substantially upgrade their networks in Washington.