Many Phone Users in the US Faced Outage Across Major Carriers like AT&T: What We Know

Many phone users in the United States experienced service disruptions on Thursday, February 22nd, 2024. According to Downdetector, a website that tracks online reports of outages, major carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon all faced issues.

Affected Services:

• People reported problems with making and receiving calls, sending and receiving texts, and accessing data on their phones.
• The outage seemed to be most widespread for AT&T users, with over 70,000 reports at its peak.
• T-Mobile and Verizon also had reports of outages, although to a lesser extent.

Cause of the Outage:

• The exact cause of the outage is still unknown.
• AT&T said they were investigating the issue and working to restore service as quickly as possible.
• Other carriers have not yet commented on the cause.

Impact and Recovery:

• The outage caused frustration and inconvenience for many users, especially those who rely on their phones for work or communication.
• Some businesses may have also been affected by the disruption.
• AT&T reported that service had been restored for most users within a few hours.
• It is unclear if other carriers have fully resolved the issue.

Current Status:

• As of today, Friday, February 23rd, 2024, most users seem to have their phone service back.
• However, it is still possible that some individuals may be experiencing lingering issues.
• We will update this article if any new information becomes available.

Who owns at&t?

AT&T Inc., a prominent telecommunications company, has a diverse ownership structure. Some of the top shareholders of AT&T include Randall L. Stephenson, John J. Stephens, William A. Blase, Vanguard Group Inc., BlackRock Inc., and State Street Corp. Institutional investors hold a significant portion of AT&T’s shares, with an ownership percentage of around 57.09%. The company operates as a holding entity with subsidiaries and affiliates in various industries such as telecommunications, media, and technology. AT&T’s market cap is approximately $135.3 billion, and its 12-month trailing revenue stands at $129.1 billion.

How has at&t ownership changed over time?

Over time, AT&T’s ownership has evolved due to strategic acquisitions and changes in regulatory landscape. Key milestones in AT&T’s ownership history include:

1. Formation of AT&T: Established in 1885 as American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T).
2. Monopoly Breakup: In 1984, AT&T was forced to break up its local telephone monopoly, resulting in the creation of seven regional Bell Operating Companies.
3. Acquisition by SBC: In 2005, SBC Communications purchased AT&T Corporation, adopting the AT&T name and brand.
4. Time Warner Acquisition: In 2018, AT&T acquired Time Warner for $85.4 billion, creating a vertically integrated entertainment and telecommunications giant.
5. Spinoffs and Restructurings: Throughout its history, AT&T has engaged in multiple spinoffs and restructurings, such as spinning off AT&T Wireless Services in 2001 and AT&T Broadband in 2002.

Currently, AT&T Inc.’s ownership structure involves a variety of institutional investors and individuals, with no single stakeholder controlling a majority interest.

How to unlock an at&t phone yourself for free ?

To unlock your AT&T phone for free, follow these steps:

1. Check your phone’s eligibility. Ensure that your device meets AT&T’s criteria for unlocking.
2. Gather necessary information:
   • IMEI number — Dial *#06# on your phone to obtain this unique identifier.
3. Visit AT&T’s official unlock webpage:
   • Go to https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/
4. Submit your unlock request:
   • Choose “Unlock your device” and follow the prompts provided.
   • Enter your IMEI number and personal information.
   • If you’re not an AT&T customer, choose “No,” and input the IMEI instead.
5. Wait for approval:
   • Usually, requests are approved quickly, but it may take up to 48 hours.
   • After submission, check your email for confirmation instructions.
   • Confirm the email within 24 hours to complete the process.

Please note that you cannot unlock a phone until it is fully paid off. Also, if you haven’t had service with AT&T for at least 60 days, your phone won’t qualify for unlocking. If you encounter issues during the process, reach out to AT&T support for assistance.

What are the eligibility requirements for unlocking an at&t phone

To unlock an AT&T phone yourself, ensure your device satisfies these eligibility requirements:

1. Branded by AT&T – Only devices purchased directly from AT&T or locked to its network qualify for unlocking.
2. Active with AT&T for at least 60 days for postpaid accounts or 6 months for prepaid accounts.
3. Not reported lost or stolen, nor involved in any fraudulent activity.
4. Fully paid off, if you bought it on installments.
5. Account in good standing and current on payments.
6. Term agreement/contract completed, if applicable.
7. Both lines on a dual SIM device must meet these conditions.

Keep in mind that you cannot unlock a phone unless it is fully paid off and your account is in good standing. Additionally, if you’re deployed for active duty, you don’t have to complete your installment plan or contract to unlock your device.

How long does it take to unlock an at&t phone

Unlocking an AT&T phone typically takes a few minutes to approve, but it can take up to 48 hours. After submitting your request, you will receive instructions and, if needed, an unlock code via text or email. It’s important to ensure your device meets eligibility requirements, such as being active with AT&T for a specific period, fully paid off, not reported lost or stolen, and associated with a good-standing account. If your phone is not unlocked within the expected timeframe, you can contact AT&T customer service for assistance.

What to do if the at&t phone unlock request is denied?

If your AT&T phone unlock request is denied, there are several steps you can take to resolve the issue. First, check the eligibility requirements to ensure your device meets the criteria for unlocking. If you’re unsure why your request was denied, contact AT&T customer service for assistance. They can provide more information about why your request was denied and what you can do to resolve the issue. If your phone was purchased from a third-party seller, you may need to contact the seller to perform the unlock request. And If you’re not the original owner of the device, the original owner will need to request the unlock on your behalf. If you’re still having trouble, consider filing a complaint with the FCC or seeking legal advice. Remember that AT&T has an obligation to the original purchaser of the device, so it’s important to have all necessary information and documentation when submitting an unlock request.

How to cancel at&t internet ?

To cancel AT&T Internet, you have three options:

• Call AT&T Customer Service: You can call AT&T’s customer service line at 1-800-288-2020 and request cancellation. Specify “cancel service” as the reason for your call. The representative will guide you through the process and provide instructions for returning any leased equipment.
• Visit an AT&T Retail Location: If you prefer to cancel your service in person, you can visit an AT&T retail store. Pack up any equipment you received through AT&T Internet service or phone/TV, including your modem, receivers, gateway, and cables. Take the equipment to an AT&T store agent and tell them you need help canceling your account because you are moving out of their service area. Set a cancellation date within the billing period and get a receipt for the returned equipment and interaction.
• Cancel Online: You can cancel your AT&T Internet service online through your account, but only DSL customers will have the privilege of using this method. Keep in mind that it can take quite a bit to cancel the services by phone due to their retention scripts. If you want to speed up the process, call 1-800-288-2020 and specify “cancel service” as the reason for your call. When asked what service you are calling about, say “Internet.” Someone will come on the line. Tell them that you need to close your Internet account because you are moving out of the country. Ideally, you should request a cancellation date that is sooner than the next billing period.
• Remember that you may be charged an early termination fee if you disconnect your AT&T Internet service more than 14 days after activation and you have a term commitment.

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