Thousands of Verizon users across the United States reported widespread network problems on Saturday, leaving many unable to use their mobile phones beyond emergency SOS mode.
The outage, which stretched from California to Florida, left customers frustrated and concerned as they faced hours without proper service.
What Happened?
According to DownDetector, a website that tracks service disruptions, reports of problems began flooding in shortly after 12 p.m. ET on Saturday.
The number of outage reports quickly escalated, peaking at around 23,000 by 3:30 p.m. ET.
Customers complained that their phones showed SOS mode only, meaning regular calls and internet access were unavailable.
The issue affected a wide range of locations, making it a nationwide disruption rather than isolated incidents.
Verizon’s Official Response
In a statement to CBS News, Verizon confirmed that the outage was linked to a “software issue impacting wireless service for some customers.”
The company assured users that engineers were working urgently to identify and fix the problem:
“Our engineers are engaged and we are working quickly to identify and solve the issue. Please visit our Check Network Status page for updates on service in your area. We know how much people rely on Verizon and apologise for any inconvenience. We appreciate your patience.” – Verizon spokesperson.
By 9 p.m. ET, Verizon updated users on X (formerly Twitter), saying that they were “starting to see service restoration in impacted areas.”
Frustration Among Customers
Many customers were quick to share their anger online.
One user told CBS News:
“Verizon is making it seem as if only ‘some customers are affected.’ That’s not true. All my L.A. friends who have Verizon don’t have service either. My entire family has been disconnected all day.”
Social media platforms were flooded with complaints, with users highlighting how disruptive the outage was to their personal and professional lives.
Why Phones Showed SOS Mode
For many users, the only available option was SOS mode. This feature allows phones to make emergency calls (such as 911) by temporarily connecting to other carriers’ networks when the primary provider fails.
According to Apple’s support page, SOS mode does not allow regular calls, texts, or data usage – making it an emergency-only function.
A Repeat of Past Outages
This is not the first time Verizon customers have faced such widespread issues. In October 2024, a similar outage disrupted services for hours and led to over 100,000 outage reports being logged on DownDetector.
What Customers Should Do
While Verizon has begun restoring services, users experiencing ongoing issues are advised to:
Check Verizon’s official Network Status page for real-time updates.
Restart their devices to reconnect once the fix is applied.
Use Wi-Fi calling if available, as it may bypass mobile network issues.
Keep devices in SOS mode only for emergencies.
Conclusion
The Verizon outage serves as a stark reminder of how dependent people are on reliable mobile networks in daily life.
While the company has apologised and begun restoring services, many customers remain frustrated, especially since this marks the second large-scale outage in less than a year.
As Verizon works to stabilise its network, users will be watching closely to see how quickly full service is restored – and whether steps are taken to prevent another major disruption in the future.
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