Verizon Outages Affect Over 1.5 Million Customers Nationwide

On January 14, a significant Verizon outage impacted over 1.5 million customers nationwide, primarily affecting wireless voice and data services. The disruption began around 12:30 PM ET and escalated by 4:15 PM, generating more than 1.5 million reports on Downdetector.

Details of the Verizon Outage

The outage was particularly concentrated in major cities, including:

• New York City: 47,644 reports
• Atlanta: 34,229 reports
• Additional significant outages were noted in Charlotte, Houston, and Brooklyn.

Customers experienced difficulties, with many reporting issues on social media. During this time, Verizon stated they were aware of the connectivity problems and their team was actively working to rectify the situation. They acknowledged the inconvenience caused and emphasized their commitment to restoring service as quickly as possible.

Emergency Services Affected

The outage’s severity prompted alerts from emergency management systems in both New York City and Washington, D.C. Residents were advised that the disruption might hinder their ability to reach 911 services. Authorities suggested utilizing devices from other carriers or visiting local police and fire stations in emergencies.

Alternative Communication Options

For those with Wi-Fi access, alternative messaging platforms such as iMessage, WhatsApp, and Telegram provided temporary solutions. Google Voice was also suggested for making calls and sending texts.

Impacts on Events and Sales

This major outage came at a crucial time for ticket sales, particularly for Bruno Mars’ “The Romantic Tour,” which opened presales on the same day. Many frustrated customers expressed their inability to purchase tickets on social media due to the network issues.

In light of the outage, organizations like the NHL’s New Jersey Devils and George Washington University advised fans to ensure their tickets were stored in Apple or Google Wallets to avoid complications at upcoming events.

Reactions and Responses

Reactions to the outage varied widely on social media, from frustration over missed communications to nostalgic references to a time without mobile connectivity. T-Mobile took a lighthearted jab, pointing out that their network remained unaffected while Verizon customers struggled to connect.

Statistical Context

The scale of this outage was noteworthy, surpassing previous significant events, such as:

• A 2025 Verizon outage that recorded 178,000 reports.
• The largest U.S. outage in 2025, impacting Sony’s PlayStation Network, which reached 1.6 million reports.
• A worldwide outage of Amazon Web Services (AWS) that garnered 17 million reports in 2025.

As of late afternoon, reports on Downdetector showed a decline to about 60,800 ongoing disruptions, indicating a slow restoration of services.

Current Status

Verizon remains the largest wireless provider in the United States, boasting 146.1 million wireless connections. The company has assured customers that their engineers continue to work diligently to resolve the issues. While some customers reported partial restoration of service, many remain impacted and are seeking resolutions.

This ongoing situation illustrates the fragility of modern communication networks and reinforces the importance of reliable connectivity in daily life.