Verizon is down.

[hardcorestitch]

Anyone unable to get service?

 

[hardcorestitch]

AND NOW ITS BACK AS I SPEAK…

 

[WDW_fan_in_TX]

I tried to call DW at lunch a couple of times. I kept getting a recording that the user trying to be called was unavailable. Wasn't sure what was going on. Could you imagine if our cell service went down for a long time? We'd be back in 1999 again.

 

[hardcorestitch]

I tried to call DW at lunch a couple of times. I kept getting a recording that the user trying to be called was unavailable. Wasn't sure what was going on. Could you imagine if our cell service went down for a long time? We'd be back in 1999 again.

Yeah I was able to get home from work but when I tried to get into on my rideshare the service just deteriorated within 1-2 seconds before handing over to the limited T-Satellite… thankfully I got back home safe.

 

[hardcorestitch]

…and it’s back down again. Seriously?

 

[hardcorestitch]

Now it’s flickering…

 

[tvguy]

I tried to call DW at lunch a couple of times. I kept getting a recording that the user trying to be called was unavailable. Wasn't sure what was going on. Could you imagine if our cell service went down for a long time? We'd be back in 1999 again.

During our neighborhood National Night Out gathering two years ago we had a representative from the Fire Department recommend that anyone with young children or elderly residents consider keeping a land line. Not so much out of concern about the cellular networks being down, but because a landline gives an exact street address when 9-1-1 is called. This can be an issue if someone can call 9-1-1 but can't speak. Cellular, if working gives a vicinity and in densely populated areas like apartments, and condos, that can include dozens of units that have to be checked.
And this was an issue in Santa Rosa in 2017 in the days after the Tubbs Fire. Cellular towers burned, and it took days to bring in temporary cell towers. Landlines in the city were buried, and never stopped functioning.

 

[BrianL]

I didn't really notice, but I've been on wi-fi. Just looking I supposedly have 2 bars, which is lower than usual. I hope they get it sorted.

 

[CynBeth]

I can’t get MFA codes to go to my phone and can’t get calls either.

 

[Meriweather]

No problem here

 

[WDW_fan_in_TX]

According to Google, there is no ongoing Verizon outage. So not sure what's going on.

 

[tinkerbellandpeterpan]

From google:

Yes, Verizon wireless experienced a significant nationwide outage today, January 14, 2026, affecting voice and data services, with users reporting "SOS" or no signal, prompting widespread reports on Downdetector, which Verizon acknowledged, stating engineers are working on the issue.
What's Happening:

• Nationwide Impact: Many Verizon customers are experiencing outages, with issues ranging from no service to an "SOS" signal on iPhones, preventing calls and data.
• Company Acknowledgment: Verizon acknowledged the widespread problem, with engineers actively working to resolve it, though no cause or restoration time was given as of this afternoon.
• User Reports: Downdetector shows a surge in reports for mobile phone, no signal, and mobile internet issues, with thousands affected.

***My whole family (NY/NJ) and fellow co-workers (Philly) can not make calls. Only text messages go through and you have to on wireless. We are all in SOS mode.

 

[Marrila]

I'm reading the outage is primarily in the south and east.
I'm in the midwest and all is normal.

 

[kdonnel]

During our neighborhood National Night Out gathering two years ago we had a representative from the Fire Department recommend that anyone with young children or elderly residents consider keeping a land line. Not so much out of concern about the cellular networks being down, but because a landline gives an exact street address when 9-1-1 is called. This can be an issue if someone can call 9-1-1 but can't speak. Cellular, if working gives a vicinity and in densely populated areas like apartments, and condos, that can include dozens of units that have to be checked.
And this was an issue in Santa Rosa in 2017 in the days after the Tubbs Fire. Cellular towers burned, and it took days to bring in temporary cell towers. Landlines in the city were buried, and never stopped functioning.

AT&T stopped taking orders for POTS in most places October 15th 2025.

They hope to turn off their POTS plant nationwide by the end of 2029.

California is pushing back but POTS is on life support for sure.

You can order AP-A service, the POTS replacement served via AT&T's cellular network and/or internet.

 

[tvguy]

AT&T stopped taking orders for POTS in most places October 15th 2025.

They hope to turn off their POTS plant nationwide by the end of 2029.

California is pushing back but POTS is on life support for sure.

You can order AP-A service, the POTS replacement served via AT&T's cellular network and/or internet.

Fortunately with both those options ATT programs them to display your service address so that won't be an issue as they are fixed location phones. Same with properly set up VoIP systems. The issue is with normal cellular phones, which is what is being discussed.
California is pushing back because our wildfires taught us cellular and fiber technology was not reliable and caused fatalities. Just like the nationwide push to automakers to include AM radios in new cars. Local radio stations lost their transmission towers, but AM radio signals from 50 to 100 miles away could relay emergency information. The Emergency Alert System you see tested monthly on your TV operates on 640 and 1620 on the AM dial nationwide. Some times old technology is the best technology.

 

[hardcorestitch]

I didn't really notice, but I've been on wi-fi. Just looking I supposedly have 2 bars, which is lower than usual. I hope they get it sorted.

Yeah it was briefly up and then just failed again earlier this afternoon…

 

[kdonnel]

The issue is with normal cellular phones, which is what is being discussed.

My point was that POTS replacement services are often backed by cellular. If the cellular network is down, so is your "land line".

In your fire examples, there is no advantage to maintaining a landline that is backed by cellular or broadband if the cellular and broadband are down due to the fire.

And with AML(android) / HELO(iOS) the 911 center will receive a location often to 5-20 meters accuracy and may include floor level.

NextGen 911 is much more advanced than many realize.

It is estimated that 85% of the US population is covered by NG911, with 95% penetration projected by the end of 2026.

 

[tvguy]

My point was that POTS replacement services are often backed by cellular. If the cellular network is down, so is your "land line".

In your fire examples, there is no advantage to maintaining a landline that is backed by cellular or broadband if the cellular and broadband are down due to the fire.

And with AML(android) / HELO(iOS) the 911 center will receive a location often to 5-20 meters accuracy and may include floor level.

NextGen 911 is much more advanced than many realize.

It is estimated that 85% of the US population is covered by NG911, with 95% penetration projected by the end of 2026.

I am not holding my breath for NextGen911. It has been an absolute CLUSTER here for reasons I do not understand. They are aiming for a 2030 rollout.

 

[hardcorestitch]

5:07pm ET… seeing the network name and bars… hope it lasts

 

[hardcorestitch]

5:12pm ET… that was a trick… back down again.