UPDATE: A widespread outage affecting Verizon and Xfinity wireless and internet customers has disrupted services across northeastern Pennsylvania, with significant impacts reported in Luzerne County and Lackawanna County. The issues began just before 4 p.m. and lasted until approximately 8:30 p.m. on October 27, 2023.
The outage extended from the Back Mountain region into the Wyoming Valley, leaving many customers without essential phone and internet services. Authorities are indicating that the disruptions are likely weather-related. Luzerne County 911 stated on Facebook, “We’re receiving reports of spotty phone service around the county, especially with Verizon and possibly other carriers.”
In a message to customers, Xfinity confirmed that the issues were linked to “severe weather in or around your area.” This disruption has serious ramifications for local businesses, which rely heavily on phone and credit card processing systems to operate.
One establishment, CK’s Cantina & Grill in Dallas, managed to stay open during the outage but had to limit services to cash transactions only. They posted on Facebook, “Our phones and internet are out but we’re still here and open for cash customers, so come see us!”
Local officials and businesses are urging customers to stay updated on the situation as service restoration efforts continue. The outage highlights the critical reliance on telecommunications infrastructure, especially during challenging weather conditions.
As customers and businesses await the restoration of services, officials are monitoring the situation closely. Residents are advised to check for updates from their service providers and remain patient as crews work to resolve these issues.
Next Steps: As recovery efforts continue, residents and businesses should stay tuned for further announcements from Verizon and Xfinity regarding the status of service restoration. This ongoing situation serves as a reminder of the vulnerabilities within our communication systems, especially during adverse weather events.
