Since the evening of May 14, 2025, Cellcom, a regional wireless provider serving Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, has been battling a widespread service outage caused by a cyberattack. This disruption has crippled the company’s voice and SMS services, leaving thousands of customers without reliable communication options. Frustration among users is mounting as the outage continues, forcing many to seek alternative phone providers, while Cellcom works to restore its network amid an ongoing investigation.
Outage Details and Customer Impact
Cellcom’s outage began unexpectedly on May 14, with voice calls and text messaging services severely affected. Although some data services like iMessage and Rich Communication Services (RCS) remained functional, many customers found themselves unable to make or receive calls or send standard SMS texts. This has caused significant inconvenience for both personal and business users relying on these basic communication tools.
The outage has also complicated the process for customers attempting to port their numbers to other carriers, leaving many stranded in a service limbo. For those seeking immediate relief, competitors such as Boost Mobile in Green Bay have seen an influx of new users hoping to avoid extended downtime.
One Cellcom customer shared their frustration, stating, “Important calls and messages were missed, and with no clear timeline for repair, we had no choice but to look elsewhere.” The inability to maintain basic phone functions has led to mounting dissatisfaction and uncertainty.
Company Response and Ongoing Efforts
Cellcom’s CEO, Brighid Riordan, publicly confirmed the outage resulted from a cyber incident targeting the company’s voice and texting network components. The company promptly engaged cybersecurity experts to investigate and contain the attack. Additionally, authorities including the FBI and Wisconsin state officials were notified to support the investigation.
Despite efforts, a full resolution remains elusive, with only partial service restorations reported so far. SMS and internal calls have been partially reinstated, but customers continue to face difficulties with voice calls and number porting. No official timeline has been provided for complete service restoration, adding to customer concerns.
Cellcom has communicated regularly with affected users through their website and social media channels, providing updates and urging patience. However, many customers express dissatisfaction with the perceived lack of transparency and detailed communication.
Risks and Scams Amid the Outage
The outage has also opened the door for opportunistic scams. Cellcom has issued warnings advising customers to be vigilant against fraudulent communications attempting to exploit the situation. Customers are cautioned not to share personal or financial information in response to unsolicited calls, texts, or emails claiming to be from the company.
Such warnings align with broader cybersecurity guidance from government agencies. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) advise consumers to verify the legitimacy of communications and to report suspicious activity immediately.
Industry Implications and Cybersecurity Lessons
Cybersecurity experts see this incident as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities inherent in critical telecommunications infrastructure. As cyber threats grow increasingly sophisticated, companies must bolster their defenses to prevent disruptions that can affect thousands of customers and critical communication networks.
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency offers resources and best practices to strengthen the resilience of critical infrastructure, including telecommunications: CISA Telecommunications Security.
This breach has raised awareness across the industry, with experts urging wireless providers to invest heavily in security measures and crisis response planning. The Cellcom cyberattack underscores the real-world impact of cyber incidents beyond data breaches, affecting essential services relied upon daily by consumers.
What Customers Should Do Now
For Cellcom customers currently impacted by the outage, the best advice is to monitor official company channels for updates. If possible, consider backup communication methods such as Wi-Fi calling or messaging apps that remain functional.
Those considering switching providers should inquire about the number porting process early, as complications caused by the outage may delay or complicate this transition.
Customers are also encouraged to stay alert for potential scams, confirm the authenticity of any communication, and report suspicious activities to authorities.