AT&T outage: Thousands report issues with US mobile services

Downdetector.com, which tracks outages, showed reports indicating no service or no signal after 04:00 EST (09:00 GMT).

AT&T said some of its customers were experiencing wireless service interruptions but that three-quarters of the network had now been restored.

Other carriers including Verizon and T-Mobile told the BBC that their networks were operating as normal.

But both carriers claimed customers were likely logging issues after making unsuccessful attempts to contact users of another provider.

AT&T customer complaints peaked at just over 74,000, with hotspots in the south and east, Downdetector shows.

"Our network teams took immediate action and so far three-quarters of our network has been restored," the company said in a statement.

"We are working as quickly as possible to restore service to remaining customers."

Cricket Wireless, a small carrier, also confirmed service interruptions, writing in a statement: "We are working urgently to restore service to them."

Neither company has yet explained the cause of the outage but both encouraged the use of Wi-Fi calling until service was restored.

Customers with UScellular and Consumer Cellular, two other small carriers, were also reporting issues.

Users have said their phones are displaying the SOS message, leaving them unable to make calls or access services.

The complaints comprise issues with calls, texts and internet access, with most reports indicating no service or no signal.

Downdetector's heatmap shows major population centres including Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston and Atlanta are among those facing the highest number of outages.

Some have also reported experiencing difficulties with 911 service, with officials advising the use of a landline, social media or a cell phone with a different carrier in the event of an emergency.

-bbc