AT&T experienced network outages on Thursday morning, impacting over 70,000 customers across the country. The outages affected both internet and cellular services, with about half of the reported issues related to mobile phones and 40% of customers experiencing a lack of signal. The most affected locations included Austin, Houston, San Antonio, Indianapolis, Chicago, Atlanta, Miami, Dallas, and New York City. AT&T stated that they were working urgently to restore service and encouraged customers to use Wi-Fi calling in the meantime.
The cause of the outages was not provided by AT&T, but reported outages peaked at nearly 74,300 at 9:15 a.m. ET before gradually decreasing. Other providers such as Verizon and T-Mobile received reports of outages on a smaller scale and confirmed that their networks were functioning normally. In Chicago, where a significant number of outages were reported, the city’s Office of Emergency Management & Communications assured that the 911 center remained fully operational despite the disruptions.
Cricket Wireless, a subsidiary of AT&T, also experienced outages with over 13,000 reports at one point. The majority of customers reported a lack of signal, but Cricket stated that three-quarters of their network had been restored by noon ET and they were working to bring service back to all customers. Verizon customers also faced issues with calling or texting customers on other carriers, but Verizon stated that their network was functioning normally and they were investigating the cause of the specific issues.
As of Thursday afternoon, AT&T’s network continued to experience disruptions, causing inconvenience for thousands of customers. Despite efforts to restore service, many customers were still without reliable internet and cellular connectivity. The company advised affected customers to use Wi-Fi calling as an alternative until service was fully restored. The exact cause of the outages remained unknown, but AT&T and other providers were working to address the issues and minimize further disruptions.
Overall, the widespread outages experienced by AT&T and Cricket Wireless customers highlighted the vulnerability of modern communication networks. The incident served as a reminder of the importance of reliable and resilient infrastructure for daily communication and emergency services. As technology continues to advance, providers must prioritize network reliability and invest in robust systems to prevent widespread disruptions and ensure seamless connectivity for customers across the country.
