Tens of thousands of mobile users reported call, text and internet outages early Thursday morning in a nationwide incident that affected customers of AT&T and other carriers. The incident has prompted some cities to recommend alternative methods for people who have difficulty contacting 911.
According to CNN, 74,000 AT&T customers lost access around 9 a.m. ET this morning.. That number had fallen to 25,000 by 12:30 p.m. ET as the company worked to restore its network.
As of 1:30 p.m. ET, most users who reported an outage to the website Downdetector in the past 24 hours were located in Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Indianapolis, Miami, New York City, and San Antonio. was doing.
The incident also affected customers of AT&T’s Cricket Wireless, which uses the parent company’s network. As of 8 a.m. ET, 13,500 Cricket Wireless customers were affected by the outage, NBC reported.
About 3,000 Verizon and T-Mobile customers had reported the outage by 7 a.m. Thursday, but the carrier told NBC that its network was operating normally and that no other users were affected. He said he believed he was trying to contact carrier customers.
The incident is not only an inconvenience, but also raises safety concerns. In some cities, emergency responders are posting advice for residents who can’t reach her 911 number by phone.
According to CNN, St. Joseph County, Michigan recommends using Wi-Fi to make calls if normal methods are not working, and Cabell County, West Virginia recommends texting 911 if necessary. recommended. The Prince William County, Virginia, Office of Emergency Management is also asking residents who are experiencing hardship to use their landlines, turn on Wi-Fi calling, or try the county’s non-emergency lines. , advised me to rent a cell phone from another provider.
Similar advice resonated across X. san francisco fire department and Chicago Office of Emergency Management Communications.
We are aware of an issue impacting AT&T Wireless customers’ ability to make and receive phone calls, including calling 911.
We are actively involved in and monitoring this.
San Francisco’s 911 center is still operational.
If you’re an AT&T customer and can’t connect to 911… pic.twitter.com/TUIEBkqmkI
— San Francisco Fire Department Media (@SFFDPIO) February 22, 2024
CNN also reported that fire alarms at the Upper Arlington, Ohio, fire department were not working due to the power outage.
Some police departments also reported problems. New York City police officials told the outlet that as of Thursday morning, AT&T cell phones could not receive calls or emails without first being connected to Wi-Fi.
And in Massachusetts, concerned residents were tangled up phone lines.
Many 911 centers across the state have been flooded with calls from people trying to find out if 911 is working from their cell phones. Don’t do this. If you can make non-emergency calls to another number through your cell phone service, 911 service will also work. #power outage
— Massachusetts State Police (@MassStatePolice) February 22, 2024
AT&T said 75 percent of its network was back up as of 11:15 a.m. ET today. The cause of the incident was not disclosed.
