Question:

What is the cause of the intermittent network outages affecting CenturyLink customers in different US locations?

We have observed several instances of network sensors reporting no connectivity through CenturyLink in various US cities over the past two weeks. The most recent occurrence was around 10AM PST. These outages lasted for a few minutes and affected multiple sites across the US. Is this a widespread issue and what is the root cause?

Answer:

CenturyLink, one of the largest telecommunications providers in the US, has been experiencing network outages that have disrupted internet and phone services for many of its customers in different parts of the country. These outages have occurred sporadically over the past two weeks, with the most recent one happening around 10AM PST on Tuesday, February 13, 2024. The outages have lasted for a few minutes each time, but have affected multiple sites across the US, causing frustration and inconvenience for both residential and business users.

According to CenturyLink, the outages are not caused by a single issue, but by a combination of factors, including weather, equipment failures, human errors, and network congestion. The company claims that it is working hard to resolve the problems and prevent them from happening again. It also offers customers the option to check for outages, sign up for notifications, and troubleshoot their service issues through its website or app .

However, some customers are not satisfied with CenturyLink’s response and have expressed their dissatisfaction on social media and other platforms. They have reported losing important calls, emails, and online meetings due to the outages. They have also complained about the lack of communication and transparency from the company, and the difficulty of reaching customer service. Some have even threatened to switch to other providers or seek legal action.

The network outages have also raised questions about the reliability and security of CenturyLink’s infrastructure, especially after its recent acquisition of Level3, a major business internet provider. Some experts have speculated that the integration of the two networks may have caused some technical glitches and vulnerabilities. They have also suggested that CenturyLink may need to invest more in upgrading and maintaining its equipment and systems, as well as in training and monitoring its staff.

The network outages affecting CenturyLink customers in different US locations are a serious issue that has implications for the quality and accessibility of internet and phone services in the US. While CenturyLink has acknowledged the problem and promised to fix it, it remains to be seen how effective and timely its solutions will be, and how satisfied and loyal its customers will remain.