TL;DR
Starting around noon ET on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, Verizon customers across the United States reported widespread cellular and broadband interruptions that left many unable to make calls or access mobile data. Reports indicate some 911 calls were affected, and outages reported on AT&T and T-Mobile may be linked.
What happened
Around noon Eastern Time on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, customers began reporting widespread Verizon service problems across the United States. Users said they could not complete voice calls and lost mobile data connectivity; some Verizon broadband subscribers also reported issues. The outage appeared to affect inbound calls to Verizon numbers from other carriers. In addition, some emergency 911 calls were reported to have been impacted. During the same timeframe, customers on AT&T and T-Mobile also logged service disruptions, although those reports may be connected to the Verizon incident rather than independent outages. The disruptions prompted a substantial volume of user reports and online complaints; at the time of reporting, official details about cause, scope, or restoration timeline were not provided in the source.
Why it matters
- Disruptions to voice and data services impede everyday communications for millions of customers.
- Interruption of some 911 calls raises immediate public-safety concerns and highlights vulnerabilities in emergency call routing.
- Reports that other carriers experienced outages suggest faults at interconnection points or shared infrastructure could have broader effects.
- Large-scale outages of a major carrier can strain backup systems, emergency response, and business continuity plans.
Key facts
- Outage reports began around noon ET on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026.
- Verizon mobile customers reported inability to complete calls and loss of mobile data.
- Some Verizon broadband internet customers also reported problems.
- Calls from other carriers to Verizon customers may have been affected.
- Some 911 calls were reported to be impacted during the outage.
- AT&T and T-Mobile customers reported service issues in the same timeframe; those reports may be linked to the Verizon outage.
- The incident generated widespread user reports and online complaints.
- Source reporting came from WIRED’s coverage of the event.
What to watch next
- Whether Verizon publishes an official root-cause statement and timeline for restoration — not confirmed in the source.
- If regulators or emergency agencies open inquiries into the outage’s impact on 911 services — not confirmed in the source.
- Potential ripple effects on other carriers’ networks or interconnection points and any follow-up coordination among providers — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Mobile data: Internet connectivity provided over cellular networks to phones and other devices when not on Wi‑Fi.
- Broadband: High‑capacity internet access typically delivered over wired technologies such as fiber, cable, or DSL.
- 911: The emergency telephone number in the United States used to contact police, fire, and medical services.
- Carrier: A telecommunications company that provides voice, messaging, and data services to customers.
- Outage: A period when a service is unavailable or degraded, preventing normal use.
Reader FAQ
When did the outage start?
Reports indicate problems began around noon ET on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026.
Which services were affected?
Verizon customers reported trouble completing calls and accessing mobile data; some broadband customers also reported issues.
Were emergency calls affected?
The source reports that some 911 calls were impacted.
Has Verizon explained the cause or given a restoration estimate?
Not confirmed in the source.
LILY HAY NEWMAN SECURITY JAN 14, 2026 1:54 PM Verizon Outage Knocks Out US Mobile Service, Including Some 911 Calls A major Verizon outage appeared to impact customers across the…
Sources
- Verizon Outage Knocks Out US Mobile Service, Including Some 911 Calls
- Uh Oh. Verizon Hit by Major Outage, Cellular Access Down
- Verizon breaks silence on massive outage. Here's what …
- Verizon hit by massive outage disrupting wireless service …
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