Thursday morning, AT&T’s network experienced widespread outages across the country, leading to disruptions in cellular service and internet connectivity, according to the tracking site Downdetector. Some Verizon and T-Mobile customers also reported outages, with both companies stating that those affected were attempting to contact AT&T users.
AT&T customers reported over 32,000 outages around 4 a.m. ET Thursday, a number that increased to more than 50,000 by 7 a.m. Most issues were reported in Houston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Atlanta, according to Downdetector. The number surged to over 71,000 just before 8 a.m. ET. Meanwhile, T-Mobile reported a little over 1,100 outages, and Verizon noted around 3,000 outages as of 7 a.m. Thursday. The cause of the service disruption remains unclear.
AT&T acknowledged the issue, stating, “Some of our customers are experiencing wireless service interruptions this morning,” and assured customers that they are working urgently to restore service, recommending the use of Wi-Fi calling in the interim. Both Verizon and T-Mobile clarified that the outages did not directly impact their networks but affected customers trying to connect with other carriers.
The outages raise concerns, particularly regarding the inability to reach 911 in emergencies. San Francisco’s Fire Department acknowledged an issue affecting AT&T wireless customers' ability to make and receive calls, including 911. They advised affected individuals to try using a landline or ask a friend or family member on a different carrier to call 911 on their behalf. Similarly, the Chicago's Office of Emergency Management & Communications, Virginia’s Prince William County police department, and North Carolina’s Charlotte-Mecklenburg police department issued alerts, acknowledging that some customers were briefly unable to contact 911. In response, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens stated that the city is actively collecting information to assist in resolving the issue, ensuring that Atlanta’s e-911 services remain operational despite the disruptions experienced by AT&T customers.
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