A 911 outage prevented AT&T customers from calling emergency services for hours this morning, officials in multiple states said.
Several local law enforcement agencies and fire departments said this morning on social media that callers had been unable to reach emergency services after dialing 911. Officials in Texas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Washington, and several other states reported issues.
911 alert!
AT&T is experiencing nationwide 911 service outage which is effecting the ability to call 911 on a cellphone. Until the issue is resolved, AT&T customers can access Arlington 911 by either calling 817-274-4444 or utilizing a landline.— Arlington Fire Dept. (@ArlingtonTxFire) July 2, 2019
7/2/19 6:07 am.
Our 911 Comm Center received notice that AT&T is experiencing outages with their mobility wireless 911 that may affect calling in.Please have our non emergency number handy if you need us. 920-236-7300
— Winnebago County SO (@WCSO_Wisconsin) July 2, 2019
AT&T cellular is experiencing a 911 issue. If you need to reach 911 in Hamilton County, call 317-773-1282. Do not place test calls to 911. pic.twitter.com/mBiH6hCjXE
— Hamilton County Emergency Management (@HamiltonCoEOC) July 2, 2019
“AT&T cellular is experiencing a 911 issue,” an emergency services Twitter account in Indiana said in a tweet from first responders. Officials directed callers to dial emergency services from a direct line during the outage.
Customers using carriers other than AT&T did not appear to be affected. While 911 outages aren’t unheard of, this morning’s seems particularly widespread, hitting customers around the United States.
The company says it’s since fixed the problem. “Earlier this morning some wireless customers may have been unable to connect to 911,” an AT&T spokesperson said in a statement. “This has been resolved and we apologize to anyone who was affected.”
