AT&T customers across the United States experienced widespread service disruptions on Thursday morning, leaving many unable to make calls, send texts, or access the internet. While reports of outages on Verizon and T-Mobile were also present, they were significantly less widespread.
Here are some key takeaways from the article:
- AT&T customers across the US experienced a widespread AT&T outage on Thursday morning.
- The outage disrupted phone calls, text messages, and internet access.
- Verizon and T-Mobile customers reported fewer outages, but some had trouble reaching AT&T users.
- AT&T is working to restore service, but the cause of the outage is unknown.
- The outage has disrupted emergency services in some areas.
AT&T Acknowledges Outage, Cause Unknown
Over 73,000 AT&T customers reported outages on DownDetector, a website that tracks self-reported service interruptions. While the number of reports dipped slightly in the early morning hours, they surged again later and continued to climb.
AT&T acknowledged the issue in a statement, but did not provide a reason for the system failure. “We are working urgently to restore service,” the company said, encouraging customers to use Wi-Fi calling as an alternative.
Impact on Emergency Services
The outage caused disruptions to emergency services in several areas. San Francisco’s Department of Emergency Management reported that while their 911 center remained operational, many AT&T customers were unable to reach them due to the outage. They advised residents to call from landlines or use alternative carrier services to reach emergency services.
We are aware of an issue impacting AT&T wireless customers from making and receiving any phone calls (including to 911).
— SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENT MEDIA (@SFFDPIO) February 22, 2024
We are actively engaged and monitoring this.
The San Francisco 911 center is still operational.
If you are an AT&T customer and cannot get through to 911,… pic.twitter.com/TUIEBkqmkI
Similar reports emerged from other locations, with fire departments and local governments urging residents to use alternative methods for contacting emergency services if they were unable to reach 911 on AT&T’s network.
Verizon and T-Mobile Unaffected
Both Verizon and T-Mobile reported minimal outages on their networks, attributing the user reports on Downdetector to difficulties connecting with AT&T customers. They emphasized that their own networks were functioning normally.
AT&T Outage Disrupts Calls, Texts, and Emergency Services in Major Cities
Thousands of AT&T customers across the United States experienced disruptions to their wireless service on Thursday morning, impacting calls, text messages, and even emergency services in major cities like San Francisco.
While AT&T was the most affected carrier, users of Verizon, T-Mobile, and UScellular also reported some disruptions, although to a much lesser extent. T-Mobile clarified that their network was functioning normally and attributed the reported issues on their platform to challenges faced by customers trying to connect with users on other networks experiencing the outage.
Data from outage tracking website Downdetector.com revealed over 50,000 reported incidents around 7:00 AM ET, highlighting the widespread nature of the disruption. While users of other carriers like Verizon, T-Mobile, and UScellular also reported minor disruptions, the impact was significantly less compared to AT&T.
The cause of the AT&T outage remains unclear at this time. While Verizon confirmed their network was unaffected, they did not comment on the specific issue or the carrier experiencing the problem.
This widespread outage highlights the critical role of reliable cellular service in everyday life, particularly when it comes to accessing emergency services. The incident raises concerns about potential vulnerabilities in communication infrastructure and the need for robust contingency plans to ensure continued connectivity during such situations.
When will service be restored?
AT&T is working to restore service, but there is no estimated timeline for complete recovery. They encourage customers to use Wi-Fi calling as an alternative in the meantime.
Additional Information:
- The San Francisco Fire Department warned residents about the impact on 911 services for AT&T customers.
- It is crucial for affected customers to stay informed and explore alternative communication methods like Wi-Fi calling.
AT&T customer service number 24/7
what is the 1 800 customer service number for AT&T Wireless?
AT&T Customer service number for AT&T Wireless
- Call us at 800.331.0500.
Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. CT or Saturday and Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. CT.
It is important to note that this information is based on the provided article and may not be fully comprehensive. It is recommended to stay informed through official channels for the latest updates on the situation.As the situation unfolds, it is important to stay informed and follow updates from AT&T and local authorities.
