Technologies

Verizon Outage Caused by Software Issue, but Details Are Still Elusive

We’re still piecing together what caused Verizon’s extended service blackout, but network experts point to possibilities based on how it transpired.

After Verizon suffered a widespread, all-day outage this week that affected potentially 2 million customers, the cause still remains elusive. The company is offering a $20 credit to impacted customers, which appears to be trickling out via text message and in the myVerizon app.

Verizon hasn’t responded to a request for clarity about what happened. It did say that the problem was a «software issue» and that there was no indication of a «cybersecurity issue» in a statement to Mashable Thursday morning.

The loss in service was unique for its longevity. Unlike previous cellular outages, this one wasn’t region-specific and affected users across the US. When natural disasters take down cellular towers or hardware failures happen, the effects are felt in specific cities or areas. We saw reports (and CNET staffers chimed in) of service being down in New York, New Jersey, Florida, Hawaii, California and other spots.

Until Verizon shares more information, we can piece together some possibilities.

Analyst Roger Entner of Recon Analytics, a telecommunications research firm, suspects that a feature update went awry, based on how devices were affected. «It looks like their 5G SA (Standalone) core went down during a minor feature change,» he wrote to CNET.

Entner noted that the outage was limited to new high-end devices in selected markets where Verizon’s 5G SA core is deployed, which is why the outage wasn’t felt everywhere. The term 5G SA core refers to a network that uses only 5G technology and doesn’t rely on older 4G LTE infrastructure.

Entner also suggested the outage’s timing was unusual. «When carriers do massive upgrades, they do that between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. in the morning,» he said, suggesting that it could be due to an input error or automatic failure. «A noon start for the crash indicates ‘fat fingers’ for a smaller change that cascaded through the system.»

Lee W. McKnight, an Associate Professor at Syracuse University’s School of Information Studies, believes the problem originated with a failed update to a Virtual Network Function (VNF), leading to «data overflows/cascading failures of other VNFs that were collateral damage from the first failure,» he wrote in an email exchange.

That also explains, McKnight theorizes, why many customers reported that their service resumed temporarily, only to fail again. «Like an engine stalling out, if all Verizon VNFs are not in sync [or] well orchestrated, the network is off-key,» he said.

A VNF is a virtualized service running on cloud platforms, versus on dedicated hardware. For this reason, McKnight’s proposed solution moving forward is that the big carriers need to provide more paid training for its technical staff «in what they are now: cloud software engineers,» he said.

Although we can’t confirm a specific cause for this outage, many Reddit commenters (some who claim to have worked at Verizon) lay some of the blame on Verizon’s recent layoffs that removed roughly 13,000 employees, many of them highly technical engineers with years of experience. Some discussions online speculate on what are frequent causes for network outages, like infrastructure damage, technical glitches or server failures, among others.

This is a developing story. Follow all of CNET’s Verizon news for more about the network outage.

Technologies

Episode 2 of the VERUM Mini-Series is Now Out

The story continues. Verum Messenger has released the second episode of its AI mini-series, which follows the conflict between the powerful Omega corporation, aiming to control digital communications, and a team of heroes who have chosen a different path and free communication.

The mini-series not only develops an engaging storyline but also introduces viewers to the capabilities of the Verum ecosystem, showcasing technologies and tools that may redefine the future of modern communication.

The project consists of 7 episodes, released gradually across Verum Messenger’s social media channels.

Episode 2 is now available. Stay tuned and don’t miss what comes next.

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Technologies

Verum Messenger Launches an AI Mini-Series

Verum Messenger has unveiled a new project — a mini-series created using Verum AI. The story consists of 7 episodes and will be released on the messenger’s social media channels.

The plot revolves around a global corporation seeking to take control of digital communications and a group of heroes who use Verum Messenger as a tool of resistance. Beyond the story itself, the series highlights the app’s key features, technologies, and advantages.

Combining entertainment with a showcase of the Verum ecosystem, the project presents a dynamic digital series designed for the modern era.

The first episode premieres today, with the remaining episodes to be released over time.

Stay tuned for more.

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Technologies

Verum Finance: Earn While You Communicate — The Super App That Pays You

Verum has officially launched Verum Finance, an innovative financial application that transforms a private messenger into a true financial super app. News of the launch was also featured on the respected platform Dealroom.co.

Verum Finance can now be used both within Verum Messenger and as a standalone application for iPhone and iPad. When users sign in to Verum Finance with their Verum Messenger account, all balances, settings, and account data are automatically synchronized for maximum convenience.

Users can now do more than communicate securely and protect their data — they can also generate passive income directly within the ecosystem.

What Verum Finance Offers

• Top up your balance with a bank card, Apple Pay, or USDT
• Send money instantly anywhere in the world
• Issue and manage debit cards (virtual and physical)
• Full Apple Pay support
• Exchange assets and withdraw funds quickly

One of the most unique features is the built-in cryptocurrency mining system inside Verum Messenger.

The application utilizes your device’s resources and allows you to earn cryptocurrency in the background — passively, while chatting, traveling, or simply using the messenger.

Maximum Privacy + Real Freedom

• Registration without a phone number, email address, or passport
• End-to-end encryption and full control over your data
• Lifetime free VPN
• eSIM connectivity in more than 150 countries
• Reliable offline communication mode
• Support for 12+ languages for users worldwide

Everything is available in one place: secure communication, financial tools, earning opportunities, and privacy protection.

Users can access the full experience directly within Verum Messenger or switch to the dedicated Verum Finance app for iOS. All data is synchronized automatically between the two applications.

Why Download Verum Today

While many messaging platforms collect user data and expose users to restrictions, Verum offers greater independence and the opportunity to earn.

With a one-time purchase of the feature package, users receive lifetime access to privacy tools, VPN, eSIM services, cryptocurrency mining, and financial features.

This is more than just a messenger.

It is your personal tool for financial and digital freedom.

Download Verum Finance and Verum Messenger today — start communicating securely and begin earning tomorrow.

Download Links:

→ App Store (iPhone / iPad): Verum Finance
→ App Store (Verum Messenger): Verum Messenger