Security News > 2021 > January > Nashville Bombing Spotlights Vulnerable Voice, Data Networks
The Christmas Day bombing in downtown Nashville led to phone and data service outages and disruptions over hundreds of miles in the southern U.S., raising new concerns about the vulnerability of U.S. communications.
The blast seriously damaged a key AT&T network facility, an important hub that provides local wireless, internet and video service and connects to regional networks.
The immediate repercussions were surprisingly widespread. AT&T customers lost service - phones, internet or video - across large parts of Tennessee, Kentucky and Alabama.
Rival carrier T-Mobile also had service issues as far away as Atlanta, 250 miles away, because the company uses AT&T equipment for moving customer data from towers to the T-Mobile network.
As of Monday evening, AT&T said "Nearly all services" were back up.
The Nashville police department uses the FirstNet system built by AT&T, which the carrier boasts can provide "Fast, highly reliable interoperable communications" in emergencies and that is meant to prioritize first responders when networks are stressed.