NEW YORK, Jan 16, 2026, 05:18 (EST)
- Verizon is issuing a $20 account credit following a 10-hour wireless outage that disrupted calls, texts, and mobile internet service
- The FCC announced it will investigate the disruption that led to emergency-call advisories in several major cities
- Rivals reported their networks were functioning as usual, although some customers had trouble connecting with Verizon users
Verizon Communications will give a $20 credit to hundreds of thousands of customers following a 10-hour wireless outage that affected calls, texting, and mobile internet across regions like the Northeast, Southern California, and Texas. The Federal Communications Commission announced it will investigate the incident. Verizon blamed the outage on a software problem, denying any cyberattack. 1
The outage struck at a particularly inconvenient moment for mobile internet, now the go-to connection for everything from ride-hailing apps to two-factor authentication. When it goes down, the impact extends beyond streaming — payments, work platforms, and even essential safety measures can all be affected.
Wireless carriers have focused for years on pitching speed and coverage, yet reliability only grabs attention when it breaks down. A prolonged outage sparks tough questions about backup routes, software updates, and how fast a network bounces back after a fault spreads.
Verizon announced on its website that impacted customers will receive a $20 credit, which can be claimed via the myVerizon app. They’ll also get a text notification once the credit is ready. The company advised anyone still experiencing problems to restart their devices to restore the connection. 2
Verizon users reported difficulties using their phones during the outage, struggling with tasks like making calls and handling online transactions that depend on wireless access, according to CBS News. A Verizon spokesperson attributed the problem to a “software issue” and confirmed the company is thoroughly investigating the incident. 3
Competitors seized the opportunity to highlight the fierce competition in a market led by Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. T-Mobile’s Chief Technology Officer, John Saw, posted on LinkedIn that users “may have trouble reaching” those on Verizon’s network, while “T-Mobile’s network is operating as expected,” according to Light Reading. 4
The outage led several major cities to urge residents to switch to alternative carriers for emergency calls. Downdetector recorded 2.2 million reports linked to the disruption within 24 hours. FCC Chair Brendan Carr announced the agency would review the incident and “take appropriate action,” while Democratic FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez said she plans to request an investigation, according to a Reuters report. 5
However, crucial details are still missing, such as which segment of Verizon’s network caused the outage and if similar issues might arise again. Should regulators demand more transparency—or if users face further interruptions—the $20 credit might just be the beginning.
Mobile internet today depends on complex software layers as carriers move more network functions into cloud-based systems. This approach speeds up feature rollouts but also raises the risk that a faulty update or malfunctioning tool could disrupt service on a large scale.
Users care about one thing: calls and mobile data staying stable, and emergency access functioning when needed. Verizon claims the outage is fixed; the challenge now is maintaining that reliability.
