Verizon Outage: Mr. Schulman, This Was Not Just a "Huge Inconvenience"

The new CEO at Verizon Daniel Schulman is starting out 2026 on a sour note. At least for businesses which depend on its telecommunications. Today there was an outage in several large metro areas such as New York, Seattle and Los Angeles. The impact of that extends to how the corporation handled the crisis. 

The Wall Street Journal reports that its spokesperson officially said:

“We know this is a huge inconvenience, and our top priority is to get you back online and connected as fast as possible. We appreciate your patience while we work to resolve this issue.”

How a major provider of telecommunications dare tell subscribers they are only experiencing a "huge inconvenience." The economy runs on telecommunications.

The reality for businesses is that this shut down some of their core channels of communications, including voice and texting.

Although my service was not in the disrupted regions, as soon as I heard about the outage I notified a business whose clients I service that there might be. For the time being I had them redirect calls from me. Just to be safe. I didn't want their clients to be left out there hanging. That meant I potentially lost hours of work.

As a former content-provider for public relations agencies I question Verizon's crisis management, especially its communications. There could have been an urgent message from Mr. Schulman expressing empathy with the business community. Also, some details: How did Verizon intend to do a make-good for the hours of service not provided? Would there be a reduction in our bills? 

In the New York outage area there are large law firms such as Paul, Weiss, Skadden and Kirkland & Ellis. I researched which telecommunications vendor they use. That information, I found out, is confidential. However, if they subscribe to Verizon how would lawyers respond? That business has to be one of rapid-response to powerhouse clients in sectors ranging from finance to government. 

AT&T had been aggressive in pitching to us Verizon customers, at least here in the midwest, about switching. They are offering sweet deals such as buying us out of our contracts. I stuck with Verizon, at least for now. Their retail locations have been helpful with my questions. But if reliability becomes an issue I might consider leaving. In addition, other vendors have been peddling lower monthly fees. I experience Verizon as expensive.

In coaching, I guide solopreneurs over-60 on creating their infrastructure. Their choice of the telecommunications vendor is part of that.

Success is a mental game. Failure comes from being done in by the “committee” in your head.

Together, we reprogram your thinking. Then we change your story. And, unleash success.

Intuitive Coaching. Special expertise with transitions, becoming a solopreneur and aging. Psychic/tarot readings, upon request. Complimentary consultation with Jane Genova (Text 203-468-8579, janegenova374@gmail.com). Yes, test out the chemistry. Zero risk.

Don’t give up before the miracle.

  

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