UPDATE: Verizon reported progress in restoring service after a massive outage earlier Monday. Get the latest developments here.
Federal authorities have launched an investigation after Verizon customers reported widespread outages across the US on Monday.
The Federal Communications Commission, the nationwide agency that regulates interstate and international communications, posted on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, “We are aware of a Verizon outage affecting customers in parts of the country. We are working to determine the cause of and the extent of these service interruptions.”
Nationwide, Downdetector showed more than 105,000 Verizon outage by 10:30 a.m. by 2:00 p.m., the number of outages had dropped to 48,115. In the Chicago area, more than 4,000 customers reported being without service at the height of the outage — at about 10:30 a.m. By 2:30 p.m., the number of reports had dropped to about 1,200.
An outage map from Downdetector showed that the “most reported” outage locations were Chicago, Indianapolis, Minneapolis, Phoenix, Omaha, Cincinnati, Denver, Seattle and Columbus.
Dozens of comments on the site from Verizon users said their phones showed “SOS” mode on and offwhich means that some cannot send or reply to text messages or make phone calls. Other comments on Verizon’s social media pages also pointed out that Verizon phones were reported to be in SOS mode.
The operator responded to some comments and sometimes asked for more specific information from those who reported their phone in SOS.
“I know I would share your concern if my phone was also in SOS,” said one of Verizon’s responses. “I’m here to help take a look at this and help find a solution. When did this problem start? Can you share the nearest cross street and city where this is happening? Send me a DM.”