Phone Data Outage hits North East: You're not alone

Having trouble this morning accessing data through your local cellular network? You're not alone. As several dozen (very appreciated!) TUAW tipsters have let us know, AT&T data seems to be down around the DC metropolitan area and areas North. If you're affected by this outage, drop us a note in the comments and let us know where you are.

Update: Associated Press confirms that the AT&T wireless data network is down in parts of the eastern US. Affected areas include Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Illinois (not part of the east last time I checked) and Missouri (ditto).

Voice service remains unaffected but Web surfing and email are not functional. Surprisingly (not!) most outage reports came from iPhone users, once again proving that the iPhone is the first smart phone that really gets used as an Internet device (versus as an Email-specific device).

Rumors say that AT&T has been hard pressed keeping up with the iPhone demand on the data network -- because with an iPhone it's really easy to get online and surf effectively.

Update 2: TUAW Reader Tim writes that he was given a credit for the outage this morning. If you're seriously put out by the lack of data service, it may be worth a call to AT&T. You may not get the same $25 credit Tim got but you may be prorated for the downtime.

Update 3 South New Jersey seems to be affected as well.

Data still out for you? Share your location here or continue reading for a map.

Update DC Area seems back online. First reports that Boston is back.

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Having trouble this morning accessing data through your local cellular network? You're not alone. As several dozen (very appreciated!) TUAW...

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Jim

T-Mobile had a big outage yesterday in NY and NJ. I think there's more to this than just AT&T.

September 03 2008 at 5:34 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

jafari

Cambridge, MA - back up as of noon, but very slow and very sporadic.

September 03 2008 at 4:08 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Rand

I'm in Illinois (Champaign-Urbana) and this was hitting me both yesterday and today. We don't have 3G here yet but Edge was out a good chunk of the day yesterday and then spotty when it came back. Edge was down again this morning but seems to be back now...for the moment. :-p

September 03 2008 at 2:44 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Greg Colker

I'm using an original iPhone on a pay-as-you-go plan with the $20 "medianet" package. Was on a train from Harrisburg to Philly (PA) and had no data connection.... Called 611, pressed 0 for customer service and quickly got $5 creideted to my pay-as-you-go account. :)

Thanks ATT, that takes the sting away.

September 03 2008 at 2:26 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Jason

mmm ... now that I try data it seems to be out with Rogers in Toronto too

September 03 2008 at 2:25 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Jason

Rogers in Toronto had a voice outage. Data was fine but no incoming or out going calls

September 03 2008 at 2:23 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

moonmen

Outage all morning on 95 Waltham-Milton, MA...I REALLY needed it then too!!! Still sporatic 3g connectivity...Will load one page fine then not work for 20 minutes...

September 03 2008 at 2:01 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Raphael Salgado

Got two $25 credits for two iPhone 3Gs on one account. According to the rep, the outage is still in effect with no ETA at this time.

September 03 2008 at 1:46 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

THX1227

I'm on Long Island, South Shore -- service has been up and down all morning -- to the point where I have NO SERVICE at all.

Hurm...

September 03 2008 at 1:31 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Rahul Kishore

Ithaca, NY back online.

September 03 2008 at 1:23 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply