Emergency calls also affected: large-scale disruption in the telephone network

Status: 11/17/2022 6:01 p.m

Nationwide, customers have been struggling with phone calls since the afternoon. The provider O2 confirmed a disruption in its network. In Hamburg and Bremen, the emergency calls are sometimes unavailable.

Since the afternoon there have been problems in telecommunications throughout Germany. The provider O2 announced on Twitter that there are currently restrictions in 2G and 4G mobile communications and in the fixed network. The reason is a malfunction in a so-called voice server that mediates telephone calls. “We are working to restore service as soon as possible,” said O2.

In the afternoon, customers from other providers also reported disruptions on the corresponding websites. However, Telekom and Vodafone explained at the request of tagesschau.detheir networks are not affected.

A Telekom spokesman said that no unusual disturbances were registered. Vodafone pointed out that calls to the O2 network were not possible because of the disruption there. The company’s own network, on the other hand, works “in good quality”. There are only slight restrictions with LTE telephony. However, these are not a problem for customers because their calls are then controlled via the GSM (2G) network.

Emergency calls in Hamburg and Bremen disrupted

Meanwhile, the police situation center in Hamburg reported that the emergency numbers 110 and 112 had failed in the afternoon. “At the moment there seems to be disruption in the entire Hamburg telephone network. In some cases, both some of our departments and the emergency call 110 are affected,” the police said in a tweet. It was not initially known whether the failure was related to the server problems reported by O2.

The Hamburg police said the presence of officers on the street would be massively increased. Citizens should contact a patrol car or guard if necessary. In an absolute emergency, the DRK emergency number 19222 is manned by the police.

It was also reported from Bremen that the emergency numbers for the police and fire brigade were severely impaired. The Katwarn warning system said that the telephone number 0421-19222 could alternatively be dialed in emergencies. The guards of the professional and voluntary fire brigade are also manned and can accept requests for help at any time.

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