Frequently Asked Questions

IMPORTANT: Your phone must be data enabled in order to use the NBC Connecticut Traffic Cam.

For all technical questions not answered below, please contact technical support on 914-909-1135 or click here to email us.

Q: What is the NBC Connecticut Traffic Cam?
A: The NBC Connecticut Traffic Cam is a mobile phone application that allows you to access live traffic cameras directly on your cell phone.

Q: How do I get the NBC Connecticut Traffic Cam?
A: Go to the download page on you will be asked to enter your cell phone number. A text message will then be sent to your phone containing a link to a mobile web site that will allow you to automatically download and install the application.

Q: How much does the NBC Connecticut Traffic Cam cost?
A: The service is free of charge to cell phone subscribers with unlimited data plans on any network.

Q: Will the NBC Connecticut Traffic Cam work on my cell phone?
A: The NBC Connecticut Traffic Cam works on data-enabled phones on the Sprint, AT&T Wireless, Verizon and T-Mobile networks, as well as on iPhone, BlackBerry, Palm Treo and Windows Mobile smart phones. The NBC Connecticut Traffic Cam supports many popular phone handsets and more are being added all the time. For an up-to-date list of handsets supported, click here}.

Q: How do I know if my cell phone is data-enabled?
A: Most phones sold today are data-enabled and can access the Internet. BlackBerries, Palm Treos and Windows Mobile devices are typically already data-enabled. Many calling plans already include some level of data services in the calling plan; your mobile service provider may charge you for data usage, depending on your calling plan. If you're not sure, please contact your mobile service provider.

Q: How do I use the NBC Connecticut Traffic Cam?
A: Once you download the NBC Connecticut Traffic Cam application it will be stored in the area of your phone where downloads and applications are found. This will vary from phone to phone. On some phones, you may be able to mark the NBC Connecticut Traffic Cam as a "favorite".

Q: What is the row of little circles that appear below or to the side of the camera image for?
A: The row of circles indicates how many cameras are installed on the road you are traveling on, ahead of and behind the camera you are currently viewing. You can use the phone menu controls to scroll forward or backward to view these cameras.

Q: How do I set certain traffic cameras as my "favorites"?
A: Once you find cameras that you know you want to view regularly, you can save them as "favorites" by holding down one of the number keys on your phone, the same way you might save a favorite station on your car radio. You can save up to 10 cameras as favorites. Any time you are running the NBC Connecticut Traffic Cam, quickly pressing one of these keys will take you to the associated saved camera.

Q: Some cameras show moving traffic, some show still pictures. Why is that?
A: All of the NBC Connecticut Traffic Cam cameras are real-time video. Some cameras are full-motion video (which we show as a short loop repeated twice - this saves power on your phone). Other cameras show live video still pictures that are updated every 3 seconds, 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 30 seconds, etc. The update rate is indicated on the screen of your phone. As we continue to build out the network, most cameras will be showing full-motion video.

Q: A traffic camera associated with a highway exit will say "Northbound" or "Westbound" for example. How do I know which way I'm actually looking - towards the traffic or following the traffic?
A: The designations North- South- East- or West-bound refer to the side of the road on which the pole holding up the camera is placed. Many cameras can be toggled remotely to look in different directions, and this is at the discretion of the Police, Fire and other civil authorities. So, the best rule of thumb is to take your bearings from where the camera appears to be located.

Q: Sometimes the sponsor's advertisements seem to be on the screen for a particularly long time. Why is that?
A: Our sponsor's advertisements are shown as the next camera is loading in. You could consider it as taking the place of the notice "Loading" or "Please Wait" message that you would typically see on your computer screen. The speed at which the next camera loads in depends on the strength of the cell phone signal you are receiving. In areas with low signal quality it will take longer to load the next camera, hence the advertisement lingers on the screen a bit longer as well.

Q: How do I exit the NBC Connecticut Traffic Cam program?
A: Go to "Exit" on the menu or press the "End" key multiple times.

Q: What should I do if I am having problems using the NBC Connecticut Traffic Cam program?
A: First, stop and then restart the application. If the problem persists, try powering the phone off and on again. If you are still having difficulties, please see our technical faq or you can contact customer service.

Q: How do I remove the NBC Connecticut Traffic Cam from my phone?
A: Follow the handset manual's instruction for uninstalling applications.

Q: Do you support the iPhone?
A: You can download the application for the iPhone from the App Store on iTunes. (iTunes 7.7 or greater required).

Technical FAQ

Q: On start-up the application gives the error message "missing RCC signature. Not allowed to access Certicom functionality". My device is a BlackBerry on AT&T Wireless.
A: This problem is related to the internet connection on your BlackBerry. You should contact AT&T Wireless. Your BlackBerry should have a BlackBerry browser as well as a Medianet browser. If you are missing a browser you should ask them to send you the Internet Browsing Service book.

Q: The application will not start for me. The error message is "Network Error 0", "Network Error 1" or "End of stream reached".
A: Your device is having network connectivity problems. Here are a few things to try.

1. Ensure that the network connection is working by using the device's browser.
2. Check the permissions for the application.
3. Check your APN settings. APN settings allow your device to access the internet. Your cell phone's APN settings should allow for full Internet connectivity so the program can access the network of cameras. If the default settings of your cell phone carrier limit your phones Internet access, the program may not be able to access the server to do this. You may need to contact your carrier.
4. Try reinstalling the application.

If your device is a BlackBerry, make sure that you have downloaded the correct version of the application for your carrier. If it still doesn't work, try downloading the generic version of the application using the "other carrier not listed above" option from the download page.

Q: I am getting a "Port is already bound 8205" error on startup of the application on my BlackBerry.
A: This problem is most likely caused by another application that is running in the background or that has crashed recently. Try doing a hard reboot of your device. You won't lose any data in this process.

How to perform a hard reboot:

1. From the handheld, locate the RESET button on the back of the device, near the bottom. If you do not see the reset button, check under the battery cover. Look for a small hole with a label that says RESET.
2. Using a pin or paper clip, press the RESET button. The device will restart.
3. You will not lose any data in this process.

Q: I get an Out of Memory Exception when running the application
This might be caused by applications running in the background. Restart the device to clear out the memory.