Have you ever traveled abroad only to discover your phone can’t connect to the network? It’s a nightmare scenario for any globetrotter, and unfortunately, that’s the reality for many American cellphone users in roaming right now. International Roaming Outage US Carriers

Major US carriers like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile are currently experiencing widespread international roaming outages, leaving countless travelers stranded without phone service.

Social media, Reddit, and cellular community forums are filled with customers complaining about the issue. The outage is also impacting users inconsistently; some users complain that they are completely without cellular, text, and data services, while others are experiencing intermittent connectivity.

Third-Party Vendor at the Heart of the Issue

The culprit behind this international roaming fiasco appears to be a third-party vendor named Syniverse. This US-based communications provider specializes in roaming services, and a technical glitch on their end has thrown a wrench into the works for American carriers. Syniverse is “the world’s most connected company,” according to their branding. It seems a bit ironic considering they’re the ones causing the international roaming outage for major US carriers, right?

According to statements from AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile, the outage has been ongoing for several hours, affecting users’ ability to make calls, send texts, and access the internet while traveling internationally. While Verizon reports that roughly 70% of calls and data connections are still functional, that leaves a significant portion of users disconnected and frustrated.

Really enjoy being in a foreign country, needing my apps to travel today, and having the@Verizon international roaming with an outage. No updates on progress, no estimated return of service. This is absolutely absurd.

— Angela Slamsbury (@Kratzicorn) June 27, 2024

Another Outage for AT&T: Adding Insult to Injury

For AT&T customers, this international roaming outage is just another blow in a string of service disruptions this year. The telecom giant has already grappled with two notable outages in 2024 – one during a network expansion in February and another earlier this month that prevented users from calling non-AT&T numbers.

What to Expect in the Aftermath

While it’s unclear what specific actions the carriers will take to compensate disgruntled users once the outage is resolved, past experiences suggest apologies might be the only consolation prize. In the February outage, for instance, AT&T offered some customers small service credits.

Staying Informed and Connected While Traveling

Being stranded without phone service abroad can be a major inconvenience. Here are a few tips to help you stay informed and connected during your travels:

• Download offline maps and essential apps: Before your trip, download offline maps and essential apps like ride-hailing services and translation tools. This way, you’ll still have access to some functionality even if your phone can’t connect to the network.
• Consider purchasing a local SIM card: If you’ll be abroad for an extended period, purchasing a local SIM card can be a cost-effective solution. This will provide you with a local phone number and data plan, ensuring you stay connected throughout your trip.
• Communicate with your carrier beforehand: Inform your carrier about your travel plans to avoid any unexpected roaming charges or service limitations.

Statement from Syniverse Regarding Service Disruption Issues for Overseas Travelers

“Starting on the morning of June 26th, we became aware of an intermittent service disruption affecting North American mobile phone users traveling overseas or individuals traveling into North America. For some users, this issue prevented them from being able to make calls, send messages, or access mobile applications while roaming.

We know how critical mobile connectivity is to our daily lives, from navigating on a trip to connecting with loved ones to conducting daily work.

We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and frustration this has caused many people. Please know that we are working around the clock to resolve this issue. Our technical teams are collaborating with our mobile network operator partners worldwide to identify and rectify the root cause of the disruption. We are deploying all necessary resources to restore regular service as quickly as possible. We will keep you updated as soon as we have more to share.

We also want to remind you that until cellular service is restored, Wi-Fi is a secondary option for calling, messaging, and accessing mobile applications.

Most importantly, we want everyone to feel safe knowing they are connected and can access their loved ones. We take this responsibility incredibly seriously.  We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work through this issue.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What’s causing the international roaming outage?

A technical issue with Syniverse, a third-party vendor specializing in roaming services for US carriers, is responsible for the current outage.

2. Which US carriers are affected by the outage?

Major US carriers like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile are all experiencing international roaming disruptions.

3. Is the outage complete?

No, the outage is not a complete blackout. Verizon reports that approximately 70% of calls and data connections are still operational.

4. How long has the outage been going on?

Based on available information, the outage has persisted for several hours.

5. What should I do if I’m affected by the outage?

Consider using downloaded offline maps and apps. Purchasing a local SIM card might be a viable option for extended stays abroad.

We hope this comprehensive article sheds light on the current international roaming outage affecting US carriers. By staying informed and following the tips provided, you can minimize the disruption to your travels.

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