Travelers from the United States were left stranded without access to essential tools like maps, ride-hailing apps, and more due to a sudden cellular data outage affecting users of AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. The outage, which started on Wednesday, primarily impacted travelers in Europe.
Distressed travelers took to social media, seeking answers about the cause of the outage and its duration. Some reported being unable to make calls, send texts, or use online services without Wi-Fi for up to 24 hours. The outage stretched from Britain to Turkey, leaving many in the dark about its origins.
AT&T assured customers that their network was functioning normally. However, some customers traveling internationally experienced disruptions due to an issue outside AT&T’s network. The company was collaborating with roaming connectivity providers to resolve the problem swiftly.
Verizon and T-Mobile also acknowledged the issue and were actively working with local providers to rectify the situation. For travelers like George Lagos, a 70-year-old from Florida visiting Crete, the outage meant communication hurdles but luckily did not escalate into a crisis.
While major U.S. carriers offer international data plans, travelers affected by such outages can explore alternatives like swapping SIM cards or using apps like Airalo for connectivity. Secure Wi-Fi networks are always a reliable backup option.
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