At a Glance
- Verizon confirmed a nationwide wireless outage on Jan. 14 after reports began at 9 a.m. ET
- Tens of thousands of iPhone users lost service and entered “SOS” mode
- Emergency services warned the outage may block 911 calls in Washington D.C.
- Why it matters: Millions remain disconnected with no timeline for restoration
Verizon’s network collapsed across the United States on Jan. 14, silencing voice and data for customers in major cities and potentially disrupting 911 access.
What Happened
12 p.m. ET: Downdetector first logged user complaints.
Just after 1 p.m. local time: Verizon posted a brief statement on social media.
> “We are aware of an issue impacting wireless voice and data services for some customers. Our engineers are engaged and are working to identify and solve the issue quickly. We understand how reliable connectivity is and apologize for the inconvenience.”
The company offered no cause and gave no estimate for restoration.
Where It Hit Hardest
Downdetector data shows the heaviest losses clustered in:
- New York City & Brooklyn
- Philadelphia
- Atlanta
- Dallas
- Charlotte
- Houston
Additional outages surfaced in:
- Boston
- Chicago
- Los Angeles
- Washington D.C.
“SOS” Mode Explained
Many iPhone users saw their signal bars replaced by “SOS” or “No Service.”
“SOS mode” appears when the device cannot reach the carrier’s towers, leaving only emergency calls via rival networks possible.
Matthew Boyd, a Verizon subscriber, shared a photo of his phone displaying the warning during the outage.
911 Risk
Washington D.C.’s Office of Unified Communications issued an alert:
> “The outage may be affecting some users attempting to connect with 911. If you have an emergency and cannot connect using your Verizon Wireless device, please connect using a device from another carrier, a landline, or go to a police district or fire station to report the emergency.”
Timeline of Events
| Time (ET) | Event |
|---|---|
| 9 a.m. | First failures detected |
| 12 p.m. | Downdetector inundated with reports |
| Just after 1 p.m. | Verizon confirms “issue” online |
| Ongoing | Engineers still identifying cause |
Customer Options
Verizon directs subscribers to check network status on its dedicated webpage while repairs continue.
Key Takeaways
- The outage began shortly after 9 a.m. ET on Jan. 14
- Tens of thousands of customers lost voice and data service
- iPhone users saw “SOS” or “No Service” icons
- Washington D.C. officials warned of possible 911 disruptions
- Verizon has not identified the cause or restoration time
This story is developing and will be updated as News Of Losangeles receives new information.
