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AT&T Data Network Knocked Out in Northeast
If you're in the northeastern US and having troubles hitting up the internets or email from your phone, don't chuck it at the wall—a whole bunch of users are reporting that AT&T's data network is down and out this morning, which has been confirmed to many by AT&T tech support. If you're having problems (or if it's actually fixed), let us know. Update: Down in NY for us, as well as some readers. Also out: Boston, Philly, Washington, D.C., Chicago, St. Louis. Another said AT&T told him the outage was nationwide. If you call up AT&T and complain (here's some numbers to get started), you might be able to snag a sweet account credit of US$10-US$20, as some commenters have. YMMV. Update 2: Official word from AT&T is in.
There was a routing issue affecting some wireless data use in the Northeast region. AT&T technicians determined the cause and restored service at 11:56 a.m. EDT. Voice calling, text messaging and BlackBerry email were unaffected.
On our end in NY, with full bars and fresh off a restart, the data connection is technically alive again, but really, not so much—it's so slow it's still dead for all actual intents and purposes. How's it on your end? [AT&T Forums - Thanks Jack!, Twitter Search, Apple Forums]
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
aktif8
Posted 11:37 PM 3/9/08
Five bars and no data here in downtown Manhattan. Glad it's the network, and not my (jailbroken) phone.. I really didn't want to deal with restoring again.
aktif8
Doerrfan
Posted 11:36 PM 3/9/08
EDGE down in Boston.
Doerrfan
DogInYellowCoat
Posted 11:36 PM 3/9/08
my Edge iPhone has nothing in Philly
DogInYellowCoat
zero411
Posted 11:33 PM 3/9/08
Washington D.C. = no internet service on iPhone (3G or Edge).
zero411
ac13
Posted 11:32 PM 3/9/08
No data in Washington, DC. Support reps not sure when it will be coming back online. UMTS and GPRS are both dead in the water.
ac13
davebg5
Posted 11:32 PM 3/9/08
No dice in Times Sq.
davebg5
Smitty Werbenjagermanjensen
Posted 11:31 PM 3/9/08
No Data here in Hartford, CT. Last email update was at 6:40 AM
Smitty Werbenjagermanjensen
goodcow
Posted 11:31 PM 3/9/08
Data is completely down in Queens.
Everyone, call 611 and complain and demand service credits.
goodcow
larsitron
Posted 11:30 PM 3/9/08
I had five bars with an AT&T operator recording telling me I couldn't call at 2130 last night on 3G. EDGE worked fine.
larsitron
cotr
Posted 11:23 PM 3/9/08
good to go in Richmond. got some 403 Forbiddens last night, but fine since then.
cotr
saigumi
Posted 11:22 PM 3/9/08
St. Louis != AT&T Intarwebs
:(
saigumi
AlphaBob
Posted 11:20 PM 3/9/08
Data not working in Rhode Island.
AlphaBob
cobaltage
Posted 11:19 PM 3/9/08
Who could have seen this coming?
cobaltage
1.21Gigawatts
Posted 11:18 PM 3/9/08
Any idea how long this outage has been in effect?
1.21Gigawatts
carsly
Posted 11:17 PM 3/9/08
Both of my smartphones show five bars but have been data free since at least 7am this morning. But I'm not surprised since AT&T's data service is always flaky - at least here in Manhattan.
The Internet CAN hide (but only from AT&T)!
carsly
cmsjustin
Posted 11:16 PM 3/9/08
Whoops didn't see you already posted that link.
I want my data back.
cmsjustin
Aldaron
Posted 11:15 PM 3/9/08
It never really worked in the first place. Since the iPhone 2.0, "push" has hardly worked at all and I've had to disable G3 to get any service.
Aldaron
cmsjustin
Posted 11:14 PM 3/9/08
[search.twitter.com]
cmsjustin
nicklar
Posted 11:14 PM 3/9/08
All dead here in Boston - been futzing with my Kaiser/Tilt for the past hour. (I guess I can put that dirty thing away)
nicklar
carsly
Posted 11:13 PM 3/9/08
Still five bars, but no data. My data service has been down since at least 7am this morning. The surprising thing, it's been like this every day this week.
The Internet CAN hide (but only from AT&T)!
carsly
OMG! Ponies!
Posted 11:08 PM 3/9/08
More bars in more places and you're still getting the shaft.
OMG! Ponies!
iatacs19
Posted 11:57 PM 3/9/08
DC area is out.
iatacs19
cobaltage
Posted 11:54 PM 3/9/08
3G and EDGE data both down in Somerville, west of Boston. Cellular phone service works fine.
cobaltage
ViperBorg
Posted 11:54 PM 3/9/08
I had that crap this morning and yesterday in the Midwest.
ViperBorg
PDSM
Posted 11:53 PM 3/9/08
im running bit torrent on my phone just fine all morning ?? You guys need to turn off your firewall.
PDSM
MrBlahBlah
Posted 11:53 PM 3/9/08
ugh, at&t, get your shit together. this is getting old.
MrBlahBlah
smittyt2k6
Posted 11:52 PM 3/9/08
New Hampshires out
smittyt2k6
Tyranicus
Posted 11:52 PM 3/9/08
I can get EDGE for a few minutes if I hard reboot my iPhone, but that's about it right now in Central PA.
Tyranicus
newdeepdan
Posted 11:52 PM 3/9/08
That's so weird, cause yesterday T-Mobile was having issues in Manhattan as well. I had completely no service all day, but they finally fixed it after I got off work.
newdeepdan
davezatz
Posted 11:49 PM 3/9/08
Outside of Washington, DC - no data service on my 1st gen iPhone. BUT My 3G AT&T laptop card is working fine.
davezatz
Rain-man
Posted 11:49 PM 3/9/08
No connection for EDGE (SOHO, NYC).
Rain-man
Rain-man
Posted 11:46 PM 3/9/08
I couldn't connect to the Mobile App store this morning over WiFi and 3G. Not sure if that's related. (NYC)
Rain-man
sgt_sm00th
Posted 11:46 PM 3/9/08
I'm in South Central Ohio and everything is working fine here.
sgt_sm00th
pantsonfireliarliar
Posted 11:43 PM 3/9/08
Yeah five bars and 3G indicator here in midtown but no actual data.
pantsonfireliarliar
digitalhen
Posted 11:42 PM 3/9/08
Working fine on the BB in midtown Manhattan, but the iPhone is dead as a dodo.
digitalhen
AHemp
Posted 11:38 PM 3/9/08
It's been intermittent here in northeast CT since last Wednesday, when they finally turned on 3G.
AHemp
djTA630
Posted 12:14 AM 4/9/08
Interesting - wasn't able to browse, send/get emails this morning on the train ride into work via Edge (1st gen phone).... ...in Chicago?!
djTA630
kevman90
Posted 12:11 AM 4/9/08
hasent been down for the past week here in NC. *Just got a iphone!!!*
kevman90
BNCasey3
Posted 12:09 AM 4/9/08
No but seriously. I have Data!
BNCasey3
BNCasey3
Posted 12:09 AM 4/9/08
I knew living in Kentucky had SOME advantages!!!
BNCasey3
pete
Posted 12:05 AM 4/9/08
Working for me in NYC - blackberry curve.
pete
overthinkingme
Posted 12:03 AM 4/9/08
feels good to be on the west coast. =]
overthinkingme
carsly
Posted 12:01 AM 4/9/08
With no data, AT&T should refund everyone for at least one day. With my blackjack and 1st gen iphone paying $30 + $20 = $50/mo for data (plus taxes and fees) I should get reimbursed $2/day. Buckstars time!
carsly
Renegade05
Posted 12:00 AM 4/9/08
because the southeast is where its at.
Renegade05
BrianV2
Posted 12:00 AM 4/9/08
Data down in Boston and Cambridge
BrianV2
Renegade05
Posted 11:59 PM 3/9/08
All good in Athens, GA
Renegade05
mcdonnr
Posted 12:36 AM 4/9/08
Battle Creek, MI btw. In East Lansing now.
mcdonnr
bwilliams18
Posted 12:36 AM 4/9/08
not working for me in NYC now on an iPhone
bwilliams18
mcdonnr
Posted 12:33 AM 4/9/08
Mine was out all day Sunday... though, I was in Battle Creek at an Obama rally with 16,000 other people who normally wouldn't be there. Still... most of last night and today it's kind of been in-and-out... and when it's "in", it's not all that great (or too often).
mcdonnr
keysereble
Posted 12:31 AM 4/9/08
connecticut as well... its just 3G WinMo devices. the trouble is they are not even reverting to edge or gprs.
keysereble
Etruscan
Posted 12:31 AM 4/9/08
On Rogers in Canada (at least here in Toronto) we were unable to make any calls on 3G this morning. EDGE, no problem. Data on 3G, no problem. Voice on 3G... no dice.
Etruscan
rhodesman
Posted 12:28 AM 4/9/08
@IphtashuFitz: Red Sox have wifi at the statium so no worries ;-)
rhodesman
rhodesman
Posted 12:27 AM 4/9/08
YAY 3G of NOTHING!!! Woot!
rhodesman
jeffindayton
Posted 12:24 AM 4/9/08
CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW???
I LOVE IT ALL U IPHONE HOLIER THAN THOU PRIMA DONNAS
jeffindayton
seeandyspin
Posted 12:23 AM 4/9/08
@djTA630: SAME. OK, good...it wasnt just me. I have been having a lot of problems with email lately so I thought it was just on my end. I had no edge/internets anywhere on the train from North Chicago to the Loop FYI
seeandyspin
swoyekr
Posted 12:22 AM 4/9/08
I have a bricked data plan, I can see the 3g.. it just doesn't work. sweet.
swoyekr
IphtashuFitz
Posted 12:22 AM 4/9/08
Glad I work on a university campus that has decent wifi, but I'm going to the Red Sox game this afternoon so hopefully it'll be fixed by then if I need it.
IphtashuFitz
awirtanen
Posted 12:21 AM 4/9/08
All dead in Raleigh, NC
awirtanen
strider_mt2k
Posted 12:19 AM 4/9/08
I wonder if any of my texts went through last night...
strider_mt2k
andrelix
Posted 12:56 AM 4/9/08
working fine in Southern Oregon...
andrelix
kidnamedmoe
Posted 12:54 AM 4/9/08
yes, calling service works fine.. no DATA, (internet or email)
kidnamedmoe
kidnamedmoe
Posted 12:52 AM 4/9/08
so.. something about "having to reboot AT&T system, can take up to 6 hours or something.. when they fix the problem, they told me it should automatically work.. and you can call back and ask for credit.
kidnamedmoe
eisnein
Posted 12:52 AM 4/9/08
you guys get phone service?
eisnein
IKEACAR
Posted 12:52 AM 4/9/08
Out in NH...nothing since last night. Sweet.
IKEACAR
MikeSWelch
Posted 12:50 AM 4/9/08
I'm in DC and I've got nothing on edge or 3g. I just jailbroke my phone and thought it was my fault. Thanks Gizmodo ::Thumbs up and awkward smile::
MikeSWelch
kidnamedmoe
Posted 12:50 AM 4/9/08
on the phone with AT&T now... they said, "they fixed the problem, just restart your phone", umm.. i restarted 5 times, and still nothing.. so now i'm being transfered to a "higher level" of tech support...
kidnamedmoe
dea136
Posted 12:48 AM 4/9/08
My data has been down since last night. Couldn't access any data from ~9pm at the US Open (Queens, NYC) and now I'm at work in lower manhattan this morning...still down :(
Any word on AT&T response/credit accounts?
dea136
milliardo_76
Posted 12:46 AM 4/9/08
It certainly isn't nationwide. I'm in San Diego, CA and my iPhone pulls up web pages in it's usual slow manner, checks emails and all that cool stuff.
milliardo_76
IphtashuFitz
Posted 12:45 AM 4/9/08
@rhodesman: Thanks. I haven't been there in a couple years so I wasn't sure if they did.
IphtashuFitz
chuckdogg80
Posted 12:44 AM 4/9/08
I live 1 hour west of Philly, using a 1g iPhone. Full bars, but no EDGE data.
chuckdogg80
mcdonnr
Posted 12:44 AM 4/9/08
@jeffindayton: Hm... your lack of disemvoweling disturbs me...
mcdonnr
Tirko™
Posted 12:43 AM 4/9/08
Stamford CT down.
Tirko™
lemkepf
Posted 12:40 AM 4/9/08
Down in Wisconsin all morning. Had my iphone 1 week and i thought i was going to have to return it. :)
lemkepf
grem28
Posted 12:40 AM 4/9/08
I'm in Long Island NY. 3g doesn't work. Neither does Edge
grem28
grem28
Posted 12:38 AM 4/9/08
What's crazy is that i jailbroke my phone this morning. I thought the jailbreak broke my 3g. Come to think of it.... maybe i broke the 3g network... :\
grem28
davebg5
Posted 1:08 AM 4/9/08
I just got off of the phone with AT&T. They gave me another $10 service credit. I have gotten so many of these from them that right now AT&T owes ME money.
I've been on AT&T w/the iPhone 3G since July 18. Thus far I've gotten $76 in service credits.
I plan to continue to call AT&T and get service credits as long as their service fails to deliver what I'm being charged for.
davebg5
musigny
Posted 1:04 AM 4/9/08
Just called ATT. holded for 10 minutes. got $20 credit. will repeat. fyi, bberry on ATT works fine. iPhone nada. in NYC.
musigny
jdiazj1
Posted 1:36 AM 4/9/08
Chi-Town is good, all morning long
jdiazj1
dwei
Posted 1:34 AM 4/9/08
5 bars no data in Boston
dwei
Imakeholesinu
Posted 1:32 AM 4/9/08
A buddy of mine at work has an iPhone 3G and says now both Edge and 3G are not working. This is in St. Louis, MO.
Imakeholesinu
davebg5
Posted 1:29 AM 4/9/08
@musigny: Well, at first the CSR didn't want to give me a credit today b/c I had just gotten a credit yesterday. However, the reason that I called yesterday was b/c my bill posted and after going through my call history I calculated that ~ 25% of my calls were related to dropped calls (either the initial call that dropped or subsequent redials.) This is actually an improvement, as I had been dropping ~40% previously.
So, I got 25% knocked off of my voice plan for the month. As I pointed out to the CSR today, if AT&T wanted to keep my voice and data plans separate yesterday, then we were going to do the same today. Yesterday I got a credit for AT&T's craptastic voice service and today I was going to get a credit for AT&T's equally craptastic data service.
I had previously called and gotten service credits in the past when I reviewed my earlier bill (with the 40% dropped call rate) and over the fact that I get no 3G in my home, despite what their coverage maps indicate.
davebg5
dea136
Posted 1:29 AM 4/9/08
@highfloydelity:
Yeah it sucks you're in Harrisburg (coming from a former 18 year central pa resident) lol
dea136
play5tation
Posted 1:28 AM 4/9/08
Central Jersey,
No Data here.....Full 5 bars & 3G symbol but no data.
play5tation
russell_s
Posted 1:28 AM 4/9/08
AT&T Network is down on Cape Cod - I can only access via wifi
;(
;z(
russell_s
mdoublej
Posted 1:28 AM 4/9/08
Binghamton NY, no data on Edge, no 3G to begin with
mdoublej
Teenagejesus
Posted 1:27 AM 4/9/08
Arizona, Full 5 bars with 3g, just got an email from apple telling me They hope i enjoy the Iphone i just purchased lol
Teenagejesus
highfloydelity
Posted 1:25 AM 4/9/08
I've been wondering why I couldn't get my email this morning. That sucks. I'm in Harrisburg, PA.
highfloydelity
skoropi
Posted 1:24 AM 4/9/08
Down for Chicago as well.
skoropi
dea136
Posted 1:24 AM 4/9/08
what # are you all calling to get credit?
dea136
Real Aler
Posted 1:23 AM 4/9/08
Oh yeah and "Service Availability and Access/Coverage: AT&T does not guarantee availability of wireless network"
[www.wireless.att.com]
Real Aler
Flyinace2000
Posted 1:22 AM 4/9/08
North Jersey (07676) no data. SMS work. Nokia N82 EDGE
Flyinace2000
musigny
Posted 1:20 AM 4/9/08
davebg5: how often do you call?
musigny
spivak26
Posted 1:56 AM 4/9/08
No edge network on my (until now) trustworthy iphone in southern New Hampshire.
So much for having the internet at your fingertips.
AT&T = FAIL.
spivak26
noamjamski
Posted 1:52 AM 4/9/08
Blackberry Curve on AT&T edge in Manhattan and Brooklyn has been working fine since I woke up. Weird. My phone LOVES outages. It usually starts its own even if the data network is up and running.
noamjamski
Nick1693
Posted 1:49 AM 4/9/08
Down here in Marblehead, MA (18 miles north of Boston) too.
Nick1693
abhissekk
Posted 1:49 AM 4/9/08
@abhissekk:
i am in philly
abhissekk
matt buchanan
Posted 1:49 AM 4/9/08
@jdiazj1: Try EDGE--I'm hearing 3G works, EDGE not so much.
matt buchanan
abhissekk
Posted 1:48 AM 4/9/08
i restarted my phone and edge is back up. it was not working before i did that. as soon as i turned it on, i got a torrent of emails.
abhissekk
theblackdog
Posted 1:47 AM 4/9/08
Hah, now all that has to happen is a virus that shows up and infects all the holier than thou Ubuntu users who have no antivirus on their computer and the day would be perfect.
theblackdog
shas8300
Posted 1:43 AM 4/9/08
Working as good as it normally does in NC
shas8300
fasheezy
Posted 1:38 AM 4/9/08
Here in the big NYC, I've had full bars for the better part of yesterday and today and the internet/email works about 20% of the time. Have switched from Verizon just last week, this is not a good first impression.
Can you hear me now? Oh, no, you can't b/c my iPhone drops calls like Tracy Morgan drops truth bombs.
fasheezy
ac13
Posted 2:16 AM 4/9/08
Data back up in DC after a reboot. God only knows for how long though.
ac13
praevalesco
Posted 2:14 AM 4/9/08
That's odd, my Sprint SERO phone is working fine and costing less. *turns the knife*
praevalesco
jaroth
Posted 2:04 AM 4/9/08
Full bars here in a Government building with AT&T repeaters and no data service on my iPhone and my co-workers. (Woodlawn, MD 21207)
jaroth
Pinkertonfanatic
Posted 2:03 AM 4/9/08
looks like its back. just loaded up a page in safari.
Im in midtown NYC
Pinkertonfanatic
coreynyc
Posted 2:36 AM 4/9/08
@coreynyc:
Check that. It is working sporadic, AOL Radio stream keeps crapping out.
coreynyc
coreynyc
Posted 2:28 AM 4/9/08
I have Edge (like Derek Jeter in those awful commercials)--midtown Manhattan
coreynyc
cpraser
Posted 2:22 AM 4/9/08
It is now working but slow. Called at&t and got $25 credit. I'm in Boston.
If I know it was going to be this many problem with the service on 3G, I'd have kept my iPhone 1.0 and be happy with EDGE. Apple shouldn't sign contract with at&t. iPhone should have been able to use on any network. People would be much happier.
cpraser
spivak26
Posted 2:22 AM 4/9/08
Data back up in southern NH!
I'm sorry I said all those nasty things about you, AT&T.
Please don't break the internets again
spivak26
mcdonnr
Posted 3:16 AM 4/9/08
EDGE and 3G in East Lansing, MI appear to be back up, as well. Still slower than balls, but it's working at least. Sigh.
mcdonnr
play5tation
Posted 3:12 AM 4/9/08
It's working now....Thanks everyone for updates.
play5tation
dea136
Posted 3:05 AM 4/9/08
I still get Edge and 3G switching for voice but no data... (NYC)
dea136
dea136
Posted 3:20 AM 4/9/08
My Live Chate with AT&T...If this helps at all...
Please wait for a chat representative to respond.
All chat representatives are currently assisting other customers. Thank you for your patience. A chat representative will be with you shortly.
All chat representatives are currently assisting other customers. Thank you for your patience. A chat representative will be with you shortly.
You are now chatting with 'Debbie Matthews'
Debbie Matthews: Welcome to the AT&T Live Support Chat. My name is Debbie, I will be happy to assist you with your issue today.
Me: I have iPhone 3G and have had no data last night and all day today
Me: area: new york city
Me: it seems to be a widespread problem. everyone I work with is in the same situation.
Debbie Matthews: I apologize for the inconvenience, we do have a 3G and Edge outage at this time in your area and at this time we do not have an estimated time of repair. The ticket number for this outage is TT000008097189.
Me: can I get a credit for my account? i rely on this service for business...
Debbie Matthews: I am sorry but you will need to speak with Customer Service concerning any credit due to the outage. The number to dial is 1-800-331-0500, they are available 7:00 AM-900 PM Monday-Friday and 9AM-6 PM on Saturday, they will be happy to assist you with your question today. Is there anything else Technical I can assist you with today?
Me: no. thank you
Debbie Matthews: You are very welcome. Thank you for visiting the AT&T Live Support Chat. It has been my pleasure to assist you today, please click the close button to end your session. A customer satisfaction survey will automatically appear and we appreciate your feedback.
dea136
Sam_Zebian
Posted 3:42 AM 4/9/08
ehh? what did I miss... oh, good thing I'm sick today and was asleep throughout the whole thing...
Sam_Zebian
Skyyboy
Posted 3:39 AM 4/9/08
UMTS is working fine on my iPhone 3G on the Big Island of Hawaii :)
Skyyboy
BrianV2
Posted 3:38 AM 4/9/08
everything A-OK in Boston Now
BrianV2
Toren16
Posted 4:11 AM 4/9/08
Just got off the phone with Dean from AT&T. Plenty friendly and of zero assistance. How wonderful. He told me they are having problems with towers not owned by AT&T but leased from other providers. Apparently it is a UNTS outage? (no idea) and that the problem has been going for 71,044 minutes so far!? When I asked how I was going to be compensated for their inability to hold up their end of our service contract, he told me I could be compensated for the time it is out, but that he cannot process anything right now because the issue is not fixed and they are unable to determine the proper compensation. I am just outside of Philly... and this is BULL
Toren16
BrianV2
Posted 4:00 AM 4/9/08
I just got off the phone with AT&T and they said they would give me a credit once my service comes back on
BrianV2
TheNthDegree
Posted 4:46 AM 4/9/08
Data is working again (Newark) but I have had calls dropped all day over and over and over again. On both networks. Never happened like this with my ver 1.0.
TheNthDegree
digitalhen
Posted 6:01 AM 4/9/08
so far the lady has blamed it on the hurricane, a fire in Texas and a downed tower in my area...
digitalhen
ahm3d3sa
Posted 5:57 AM 4/9/08
AT&T... you guys are awful... trying to play monopoly with the iPhone... but they don't even have any dice. Clean your act up. I regret signing on to this plan and suffering. We need to get reimbursed for these screw ups.
ahm3d3sa
mrpedenman
Posted 7:05 AM 4/9/08
Blackberry Curve on AT&T in Boston with full bars. First time since owning the phone i had a web page time out!!
mrpedenman
rcast1986
Posted 7:50 AM 4/9/08
Lost contact with whom??
rcast1986
unspellable
Posted 7:11 PM 4/9/08
NYC - financial district = data all day (on a Curve)
unspellable
fpickering
Posted 3:51 AM 6/9/08
I am in the DC Metro area and have called AT&T everyday for the last 3 days due to issues with their data plan.
I spoke with a CSR, a supervisor and even Executive Services. AT&T is consistent, all 3 persons offered no help and my request to be credited for their failure to meet their end of the bargain was dismissed. I told her that I had read on numerous sites that people were getting credits and she basically said the people who made this claim lied.
Today, I was told that it is AT&T's policy not to offer credits on iPhones. When I pressed her on this she said because it is the policy. Translation: we anticipated issues with our 3g network and did not want to have to shell out money. AT&T's customer service is abysmal.
The first moment I can use my iPhone on another carrier I will be leaving.
fpickering
Squuiid
Posted 5:25 AM 9/9/08
It's DOWN AGAIN!! All Manhattan and my work colleague in NJ confirms the same, data is currently down on AT&T.
3:20PM EST
9/8/2008
Squuiid
whitino
Posted 12:17 AM 5/9/08
I just spent three days being pounded by Gustav in Louisiana and my iPhone/AT$T service was the only thing that worked. I was able to see emergency information on the internet (albeit on the Edge network), send text messages, and post pictures of the damage to a blog.
I don't drink the koolaid, but how could I complain about my iPhone working during a hurricane?
whitino