At a Glance
- A major Verizon wireless outage began around noon ET on Wednesday, disrupting voice and data services
- AT&T and T-Mobile customers are also reporting issues, though these may be linked to Verizon’s network failure
- Many phones show SOS mode, potentially blocking emergency calls
- Why it matters: Emergency services in Washington, DC and other areas warn residents to find alternate ways to reach 911
A sweeping cellular outage that started around noon ET on Wednesday has knocked out voice and data service for Verizon customers across the United States, while triggering spill-over disruptions that appear to affect AT&T and T-Mobile users as well.
Outage Scope
Verizon subscribers began flooding social media and outage-tracking sites shortly after 12 p.m. ET, reporting that calls fail immediately and mobile data is unavailable. The carrier’s broadband internet service is also experiencing problems, according to customer posts on DownDetector.
AT&T and T-Mobile customers began flagging similar symptoms in the same timeframe, but both carriers say their own networks are stable. Industry sources told News Of Fort Worth that when Verizon’s infrastructure can’t route traffic, callers from other providers often can’t complete cross-network calls, creating the impression of a multi-carrier failure.
Carrier Statements
Verizon spokesperson Christina Moon Ashraf issued a brief statement:
> “We are aware of an issue impacting wireless voice and data services for some customers. Our engineers are engaged and are working to identify and solve the issue quickly.”
T-Mobile said its network is “operating optimally” but acknowledged that:
> “Customers may not be able to reach someone with Verizon service at this time.”
AT&T did not respond to News Of Fort Worth‘s request for comment.
SOS Mode Risks
Dozens of users on both iOS and Android devices say their phones have switched to SOS mode, a fallback that should allow only emergency calls. However, scattered reports indicate that even 911 attempts fail, raising public-safety alarms.
Washington, DC’s emergency alert channel posted at 12:57 p.m. ET:
> “DC’s Office of Unified Communications is aware of a nationwide Verizon Wireless outage that may be affecting some users to connect with 911. If you have an emergency and cannot connect using your Verizon Wireless device, please connect using a device from another carrier, a landline, or go to a police district or fire station to report the emergency.”
Historical Pattern
Similar events have occurred when a single carrier’s routing collapse prevents calls from other networks from terminating, making one company’s failure look like an industry-wide blackout. DownDetector’s live outage map showed simultaneous spikes for all three major US carriers, though Verizon’s graph climbed fastest and highest.
What Happens Next
Verizon engineers have not provided an estimated time for restoration. Because the carrier has not disclosed the root cause, customers have no guidance on when voice, data, and 911 access will return to normal.
Key Takeaways
- Verizon’s outage is nationwide and affects both wireless and broadband
- Cross-carrier call routing issues make the disruption appear broader
- Emergency services urge residents to keep alternate contact methods ready
- No restoration timeline has been released
