Cellcom Outage Disrupts Communications Across Wisconsin

A significant service outage at Cellcom, a regional wireless provider based in Howard, Wisconsin, has disrupted voice and SMS services for thousands of customers across the state since May 14, 2025. The company attributes the disruption to a cyberattack executed by a third party, which affected the voice and texting components of their network. Cellcom+2Wikipedia+2Cellcom+2Cellcom+2Inside Towers+2Cellcom+2

Cellcom detected unusual activity on its network on May 14 and subsequently took down the network in line with its protocols. The incident was concentrated on an area of the network separate from where sensitive customer information is stored. As of now, there is no evidence that personal information, such as names, addresses, or financial data, has been compromised. Cellcom+1Cellcom+1

While data services and emergency calls to 911 remained operational, the outage severely impacted voice and SMS communications. This disruption had tangible consequences; for instance, during a camper fire in Door County, both the fire chief and the camper’s owner were unable to reach 911 due to the outage. WLUK+7doorcountydailynews.com+7Wikipedia+7WLUK

In response to the outage, Cellcom has been working diligently to restore services. As of May 27, the company reported that services, including both inbound and outbound calling and text messaging, are performing well for most customers following recent restoration efforts. However, some intermittent issues may still occur as systems continue to stabilize. https://www.wbay.com+3Cellcom+3Cellcom+3

To assist customers during this period, Cellcom has advised users experiencing issues to reboot their phones or toggle airplane mode to re-register with the network. Additionally, as a gesture of accountability and appreciation, the company is covering outage-related service fees for customers who choose to stay with them, with the amount automatically applied to a future service bill. Cellcom+1Cellcom+1Cellcom+1Cellcom+1

The outage has also led some customers to seek alternative service providers. Local businesses, such as Boost Mobile in Green Bay, have reported an influx of new customers as individuals and businesses affected by the Cellcom outage look for more reliable communication options. WLUK

Cellcom continues to investigate the incident and is working to fully restore services. The company has not provided a specific timeline for complete restoration but remains committed to resolving the issue and keeping customers informed through regular updates. WGBA NBC 26 in Green Bay+8Cellcom+8Cellcom+8Wikipedia

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