Travelers from the United States faced a major setback during their trips to Europe this week as a cellular data outage affected users of AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. The outage left many travelers without the ability to check maps, make reservations, use ride-hailing apps, and more, causing frustration and confusion among those affected.
The outage, which extended from Britain to Turkey, left travelers stranded without access to essential services for as long as 24 hours. Many took to social media to seek answers about the cause of the outage and how long it would last.
AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon all acknowledged the issue and stated that they were working with their roaming connectivity providers to resolve the problem. Despite the inconvenience, some travelers like George Lagos, a real estate developer from Florida visiting Crete, remained relatively unaffected by the outage.
While major U.S. carriers offer international data plans for travelers, those affected by outages like this one have other options to stay connected. Swapping out a physical SIM card, using apps like Airalo for electronic SIM card packages, or connecting to secure Wi-Fi networks are all viable solutions.
As the disruption eases, travelers are advised to stay informed and explore alternative ways to stay connected while abroad. Stay updated on travel tips and inspiration by following New York Times Travel on Instagram and signing up for their weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter.
