AT&T has clarified that the nationwide service disruption experienced by its users was not the result of a cyberattack.
This announcement comes after a detailed initial investigation by the telecommunications giant.
Initial Findings Revealed
“Based on our initial review, we believe the outage was caused by the application & execution of an incorrect process used as we were expanding our network, not a cyber attack,” AT&T stated on X, aiming to dispel concerns over potential cybersecurity breaches.
Full-Service Restoration
The company confirmed that all wireless services had been fully restored and apologized for the inconvenience caused by the outage, demonstrating its commitment to customer service.
Ongoing Assessments
AT&T has pledged to continue assessing the situation to ensure the delivery of the high-quality service that customers expect, highlighting the importance of reliability and trust.
Widespread Impact
The outage on Thursday morning affected thousands of AT&T users, particularly in major cities like Houston, Atlanta, Miami, and Chicago, with reports peaking at over 70,000 around 8 a.m. EST.
Immediate Response
AT&T recommended that customers use Wi-Fi calling as a temporary solution while they urgently worked to restore service, showcasing their proactive approach to addressing the disruption.
Government Investigations
The Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) began investigating the outage, indicating the seriousness of the incident and the government’s role in maintaining national telecommunications security.
Federal Involvement
The White House, through John Kirby, confirmed its involvement and the government’s intent to support network providers in their investigative and recovery efforts, ensuring a collaborative approach to understanding and mitigating the outage.
Comprehensive Review
“We’re going to look at this really hard,” Kirby stated, emphasizing the thorough investigation being undertaken to prevent future incidents and enhance digital infrastructure resilience.
Reassurance to the Public
Kirby relayed AT&T’s findings, reassuring the public that there was no indication of a cybersecurity incident, helping to alleviate concerns about the safety and security of the nation’s telecommunications networks.
Federal and Corporate Collaboration
This incident highlights the complex challenges of maintaining vast telecommunications networks and the swift, coordinated response required by both corporations and government agencies to address and resolve service disruptions.
Commitment to Digital Infrastructure
The collaborative efforts between AT&T and federal entities demonstrate a unified commitment to protecting America’s digital infrastructure and ensuring uninterrupted service for users nationwide.