AT&T cell phone outage: Here’s the latest on what we know

AT&T cell phone outage: Here’s the latest on what we know

AT&T customers reported widespread outages Thursday with the country’s largest wireless provider.

Some AT&T customers saw SOS messages displayed in the status bar on their cellphones. The message indicates that the device is having trouble connecting to their cellular provider’s network.

AT&T urged customers to connect to Wi-Fi to use their phones.

“Some of our customers are experiencing wireless service interruptions this morning. We are working urgently to restore service to them. We encourage the use of Wi-Fi calling until service is restored,” AT&T said in a statement.

As of this posting, the company has restored service to 75 percent of customers, NBC News reports.

Verizon spokesperson told Fox Business that customers are only experiencing issues when trying to contact users who have AT&T, which operates FirstNet.

If Wi-Fi isn’t available, there are few options for cell phone users. It’s possible to switch services if a phone is unlocked, but that requires signing up online and porting your phone number.

The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said it did believe this is any indication of a cyberattack.

“CISA is aware of the reports and we are working closely with AT&T to understand the cause of the outage and its impacts, and stand ready to offer any assistance needed,” Eric Goldstein, the agency’s executive assistant director for cybersecurity said in an emailed statement to NBC News.

Per downdetector.com, tens of thousands of customers reported the disruptions to their home phone, internet and mobile phone services. Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile and other networks were reported as down early Thursday morning. Outages were reported from Atlanta to New York to Los Angeles and multiple locations in between.

AT&T saw as many as 65,800 customers impacted, while Cricket Wireless has 10,400 impacted. Verizon (3,200), T-Mobile (1,700) and Boost (800) also were effected.

Downdetector offers real-time status information for more than 12,000 services across 47 websites representing 47 countries.

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.