EE and BT Network Outage Disrupts Services Across the UK
Published 24 July 2025
Highlights
- EE and BT experienced a significant network outage on Thursday, affecting thousands of customers across the UK.
- The outage, which began around 11:15 am, impacted voice services, including emergency calls, but was resolved by late afternoon.
- Downdetector reported over 2,600 EE customers experiencing issues, with the highest number of reports coming from major cities like London and Manchester.
- BT and EE apologized for the disruption, attributing it to a technical fault, and assured that services were restored to normal.
- Ofcom is investigating the incident to understand the scale and cause, emphasizing the importance of network resilience.
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Rewritten Article
EE and BT Network Outage Disrupts Services Across the UK
A widespread network outage disrupted services for thousands of EE and BT customers across the UK on Thursday, leaving many unable to make or receive calls. The outage, which began at approximately 11:15 am, affected voice services, including emergency calls, but was resolved by late afternoon, according to a BT spokesperson.
Extent of the Outage
Reports of the outage first surfaced on Downdetector, a platform that tracks internet disruptions, with over 2,600 EE customers reporting issues at the peak around 2:15 pm. The disruption affected customers nationwide, with significant reports from major cities such as London, Birmingham, and Manchester. Although EE customers were reportedly able to call 999, some emergency services initially reported difficulties with mobile phone networks.
Response and Resolution
BT, which owns EE, issued an apology for the inconvenience caused by the technical fault. "We’re currently addressing an issue impacting our services," a BT spokesperson stated, adding that they were working urgently to resolve the problem. By late Thursday, the company confirmed that services had returned to normal.
Impact on Customers and Networks
The outage not only affected EE and BT customers but also impacted users of smaller mobile operators that rely on EE's network. Despite spikes in outage reports for Vodafone and Three, these networks confirmed they did not experience any issues. The incident highlighted the critical nature of telecommunications resilience, especially concerning emergency services.
Regulatory Oversight
The UK communications regulator, Ofcom, is investigating the incident to determine its scale and cause. Ernest Doku, a mobiles expert at Uswitch, emphasized the importance of reconnecting customers swiftly and keeping them informed. He also noted that customers could be entitled to compensation if their landline issues persist beyond two days.
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Scenario Analysis
The recent outage underscores the vulnerability of telecommunications networks and the critical need for robust infrastructure. As Ofcom investigates, findings could lead to stricter regulations to ensure network resilience, particularly for emergency services. This incident may prompt BT and other providers to enhance their technical safeguards to prevent future disruptions. In the broader context, the outage serves as a reminder of the essential role of reliable communication networks in daily life and emergency situations.
A widespread network outage disrupted services for thousands of EE and BT customers across the UK on Thursday, leaving many unable to make or receive calls. The outage, which began at approximately 11:15 am, affected voice services, including emergency calls, but was resolved by late afternoon, according to a BT spokesperson.
Extent of the Outage
Reports of the outage first surfaced on Downdetector, a platform that tracks internet disruptions, with over 2,600 EE customers reporting issues at the peak around 2:15 pm. The disruption affected customers nationwide, with significant reports from major cities such as London, Birmingham, and Manchester. Although EE customers were reportedly able to call 999, some emergency services initially reported difficulties with mobile phone networks.
Response and Resolution
BT, which owns EE, issued an apology for the inconvenience caused by the technical fault. "We’re currently addressing an issue impacting our services," a BT spokesperson stated, adding that they were working urgently to resolve the problem. By late Thursday, the company confirmed that services had returned to normal.
Impact on Customers and Networks
The outage not only affected EE and BT customers but also impacted users of smaller mobile operators that rely on EE's network. Despite spikes in outage reports for Vodafone and Three, these networks confirmed they did not experience any issues. The incident highlighted the critical nature of telecommunications resilience, especially concerning emergency services.
Regulatory Oversight
The UK communications regulator, Ofcom, is investigating the incident to determine its scale and cause. Ernest Doku, a mobiles expert at Uswitch, emphasized the importance of reconnecting customers swiftly and keeping them informed. He also noted that customers could be entitled to compensation if their landline issues persist beyond two days.
What this might mean
The recent outage underscores the vulnerability of telecommunications networks and the critical need for robust infrastructure. As Ofcom investigates, findings could lead to stricter regulations to ensure network resilience, particularly for emergency services. This incident may prompt BT and other providers to enhance their technical safeguards to prevent future disruptions. In the broader context, the outage serves as a reminder of the essential role of reliable communication networks in daily life and emergency situations.
