What Happened to AT&T Outage?
AT&T experienced a significant nationwide outage on February 22, 2024, affecting millions of customers and disrupting emergency services, which the FCC later attributed to a misconfigured network element during an update. In response, AT&T offered customer credits, faced regulatory scrutiny, and has since committed billions to extensive network modernization, including fiber and 5G expansion, leading to improved performance ratings in 2026, though localized disruptions continue to occur.
Quick Answer
The major AT&T outage on February 22, 2024, was a nationwide disruption caused by an employee's misconfiguration of a network element during an update, impacting millions and blocking 911 calls. Following investigations and customer compensation, AT&T has invested heavily in network upgrades, including Open RAN and fiber expansion, and has shown improved performance in 2026. However, localized service disruptions, often due to weather, copper theft, or power shutoffs, continue to be reported, including some 5G Home Internet and broadband issues on September 7, 2026.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
AT&T Announces Open RAN Upgrade Plan
AT&T reveals plans to upgrade 70% of its mobile network to Open RAN technology by 2026, committing $14 billion over five years to enhance infrastructure.
Nationwide AT&T Outage Occurs
A major nationwide outage affects millions of AT&T wireless customers for approximately 12 hours, disrupting voice and 5G data services and blocking 911 calls.
AT&T Attributes Outage to Technical Error
AT&T states the outage was caused by 'the application and execution of an incorrect process used as we were expanding our network,' ruling out a cyberattack.
AT&T Offers $5 Customer Credit
AT&T announces a $5 credit for affected wireless customers as compensation for the service disruption, equating to a full day of service.
FCC Launches Formal Investigation
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) opens a formal investigation into the February 2024 outage, requesting detailed information from AT&T.
FCC Report Reveals Outage Cause
The FCC releases its report, concluding the February 2024 outage was caused by an employee's misconfiguration of a network element during an update, leading to a 'protect mode' shutdown.
FCC Settles 2023 911 Outage Violations
AT&T agrees to pay a $950,000 civil penalty to resolve an FCC investigation into a separate August 2023 911 outage and compliance with notification rules.
AT&T Introduces Outage 'Guarantee'
AT&T launches a new policy offering automatic bill credits for qualifying wireless outages (60+ minutes) and fiber outages (20+ minutes).
AT&T Responds to Winter Storm Fern Outages
AT&T reports wireless service disruptions in parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee due to commercial power outages caused by Winter Storm Fern, with teams working on restoration.
AT&T Pledges $250 Billion Network Investment
AT&T announces a commitment to invest $250 billion through 2030 to expand and improve its fiber and wireless networks across the US.
AT&T Accelerates Copper Network Exit
AT&T reiterates plans to exit its legacy copper network in the majority of its wireline footprint by the end of 2029, encouraging customers to upgrade to fiber and wireless.
AT&T Seeks FCC Approval to Discontinue Copper Service
AT&T files an application with the FCC to permanently suspend voice service at 600 locations due to damaged copper facilities, largely from theft and weather.
Ookla Report Highlights AT&T's Improved Performance
Ookla's 'State of the Mobile Union' report for 1H 2026 names AT&T a standout performer, tying for first in overall performance and network reliability.
AT&T Monitors California Power Shutoff Impacts
AT&T provides updates on network status during Public Safety Power Shutoff events in multiple California counties, working to limit service interruptions.
Localized 5G Home Internet and Broadband Issues Reported
Users report ongoing issues with AT&T's 5G Home Internet, broadband, and WiFi services in parts of the US, particularly Texas, according to Downdetector status.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The most notable AT&T outage occurred on February 22, 2024, causing a widespread disruption of wireless service across the United States for approximately 12 hours. Millions of customers were affected, losing access to voice and 5G data services, and critically, over 25,000 calls to 911 emergency services were blocked.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) launched a formal investigation into the incident, concluding in July 2024 that the outage was caused by an AT&T Mobility employee implementing a network change with an equipment configuration error. This error, introduced at 2:42 AM ET, caused the network to enter a 'protect mode,' disconnecting all devices. It took nearly two hours to roll back the change, but full service restoration was delayed for at least 12 hours due to device registration systems being overwhelmed. The FCC criticized AT&T for inadequate peer reviews, insufficient lab testing, and a lack of safeguards.
In the aftermath, AT&T apologized and offered a $5 credit to affected wireless customers, which it stated was equivalent to the average cost of a full day of service. This compensation was met with mixed reactions, with some customers feeling it was insufficient. The incident also prompted investigations by the FBI and Department of Homeland Security, though AT&T confirmed it was a technical error and not a cyberattack.
Since the 2024 outage, AT&T has significantly ramped up its network modernization efforts. In December 2023, the company announced plans to upgrade 70% of its mobile network to Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN) technology by 2026, involving a $14 billion investment over five years. By early 2025, AT&T introduced a 'Guarantee' for wireless and fiber users, promising automatic bill credits for qualifying outages (60 minutes or more for wireless, 20 minutes for fiber). In March 2026, AT&T pledged a massive $250 billion investment through 2030 to enhance its fiber and wireless networks, including expanding rural coverage.
As of 2026, AT&T's network performance has shown significant improvements. Ookla's 'State of the Mobile Union' report in July 2026 identified AT&T as a standout performer in the first half of 2026, tying with Verizon for overall performance and network reliability, and winning the Call RootScore Award. The company is also aggressively expanding its fiber footprint, aiming to reach over 40 million total fiber locations by the end of 2026 and more than 60 million by 2030. However, localized service disruptions persist. In July 2026, AT&T sought FCC permission to discontinue service at 600 locations nationwide due to damaged copper facilities, primarily from copper theft and severe weather. Furthermore, on September 7, 2026, users reported 5G Home Internet, broadband, and WiFi issues, particularly in parts of Texas. AT&T is also actively working to transition customers from aging, less reliable copper networks to fiber and wireless services, with plans to exit its copper network in the majority of its wireline footprint by the end of 2029.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if AT&T Outage made different choices?