close
close

first Drop

Com TW NOw News 2024

Is Verizon Bankrupt? User reports suggest a phone and SMS outage
news

Is Verizon Bankrupt? User reports suggest a phone and SMS outage

File/Illustration (CFOTO/Future Release via Getty Images)

Verizon users across the country reported an apparent outage Monday morning.

Commenters on DownDetector.com, which monitors online complaints about technology glitches, saw a spike in the number of users reporting problems with texting and calling starting around 9:30 a.m. ET.

Many people reported being stuck in SOS mode on their phone, which prevented them from sending messages or making calls.

Verizon did not appear to immediately acknowledge any outages on their social media channels, and their network status website was not loading as of 10:30 am. FOX TV Stations has reached out to Verizon for more information.

What is SOS mode?

Starting with the iPhone 14, Apple released a feature that allows users to send messages to emergency services via satellite while out of cellular and Wi-Fi range, or during times of network outages.

The messages are delivered directly via satellite to dispatchers who accept text messages or to relay centers staffed by Apple-trained specialists who can call for help on the user’s behalf, FOX News reports.

SOS mode will automatically turn off once cellular service is restored.

Google has announced that a similar feature will be available from the Google Pixel 9.

This is a development story. Stay with FOX for any updates.