Widespread Internet Outage Disrupts CenturyLink, Quantum Fiber Services in Colorado
Table of Contents
- Widespread Internet Outage Disrupts CenturyLink, Quantum Fiber Services in Colorado
- Scale of the Internet Outage
- Impact on Denver and Colorado Residents
- Social Media Reactions and Technical Solutions
- cyber Attack Speculation Dismissed
- Official Company Response and Technical Root Cause
- Business and Economic Impact
- Broader Context and Future Implications
- Understanding Internet Outages: A Broader Perspective
- Frequently Asked Questions About Internet Outages
A widespread internet outage struck multiple telecommunications networks across the united states on Thursday, June 19, 2025, leaving over 45,000 users without internet access and causing significant disruptions in denver and throughout Colorado. The outage primarily affected CenturyLink, Quantum Fiber, and Brightspeed services, with Quantum Fiber being a major internet provider serving Colorado communities [1].
Scale of the Internet Outage
The disruption was massive, with CenturyLink experiencing the most severe impact as over 35,000 users reported service issues nationwide [2, 3]. Quantum Fiber, a critical internet infrastructure provider in Colorado, saw more than 17,000 users reporting outages [2, 3]. Brightspeed also experienced significant problems, with over 3,000 reports during the same timeframe [2, 3].
According to outage tracking data, the incident lasted approximately 2 hours and 33 minutes, making it one of the more significant recent telecommunications disruptions [4].
Did You Know? The average cost of downtime for small businesses can range from $427 to $9,000 per hour, depending on the size and nature of the business [5].
Impact on Denver and Colorado Residents
The internet outage had particular significance for Denver and Colorado residents, as Quantum Fiber is a major internet service provider throughout the state [6]. Colorado Springs and Denver were specifically mentioned among the 18 cities where Quantum Fiber has been expanding its ultra-fast broadband connectivity services [6]. The company has been working to connect hundreds of thousands of residents and small businesses across Colorado [6].
Local Denver users took to social media platforms to report the widespread nature of the outage. Reddit users in the Denver community confirmed the service disruption,with one user noting they were “too lazy to call” and finding it “hilarious” that CenturyLink’s websites weren’t even accessible via cellular data [7]. The Denver Reddit community provided technical workarounds, with users sharing instructions on how to change DNS settings to restore connectivity [7].
Pro Tip: Regularly check your internet service provider’s website or social media channels for updates during an outage.
Social media platforms erupted with frustrated users sharing their experiences and seeking solutions during the internet outage. The reactions ranged from technical troubleshooting advice to expressions of concern about broader implications.
Technical Community Response
Tech-savvy users quickly identified the root cause as a DNS server issue and shared solutions across platforms. A 14-year-old Reddit user posted detailed instructions for fixing the problem by switching to Google and Cloudflare DNS servers [8]. The user explained: “The issue appears to be that CenturyLink’s DNS servers are down. Fortunately, google and Cloudflare offer reliable DNS servers!” [8]
User frustrations and Concerns
Twitter users expressed a mix of frustration and humor about the situation. One user posted: ” CenturyLink Internet Outage If your CenturyLink internet is up but websites won’t load, it’s likely a DNS issue. Speedy fix: Change your DNS to: Google → 8.8.8.8 & 8.8.4.4 Cloudflare → 1.1.1.1 & 1.0.0.1 More than 35K users affected nationwide” [9].
Another user commented on the broader implications: “There is nothing quite like working in the hot sun all day, only to come home and have your entire household not functioning because your internet provider is having an outage.I hate that society is so reliant on internet and WiFi. It will probably be our downfall” [9].
Geographic Spread of Reports
Social media monitoring revealed reports from users across multiple states, including Deerfield Beach, West Palm Beach, Atlanta, Houston, Des Moines, Detroit, Minneapolis, Phoenix, Los angeles, and numerous other cities [4]. Seattle users on Reddit reported similar issues, with one user noting: “Times are so crazy right now. @CenturyLink is experiencing an outage and I’m literally on X trying to see if WWIII has wiped out the grid” [4].
cyber Attack Speculation Dismissed
While users and observers raised questions about potential cyber security implications, there was no confirmed evidence of a cyber attack being responsible for the internet outage [10]. Some social media users expressed concerns about the possibility, with one Seattle Reddit user commenting: “I don’t like to admit it, but if we experience a nationwide internet outage, it could perhaps indicate a cyberattack” [11].
however, other users quickly dismissed these concerns, with one responding: “bruh you can literally just change the DNS and it works. No reason to say wild things like this” [11]. The nature of the DNS-related fix suggested the issue was technical rather than malicious in origin.
Historical context shows that CenturyLink has previously experienced major outages due to technical issues rather than cyber attacks.In August 2020, a CenturyLink BGP routing mistake lead to widespread outages affecting Cloudflare, Amazon, Discord, and other major services [12]. That incident was confirmed as “not a security-related event” by CenturyLink officials [13].
Official Company Response and Technical Root Cause
CenturyLink issued an official statement addressing the internet outage, describing it as “a network routing issue that caused a temporary service disruption for some customers” [14]. The company’s spokesperson Matt Villarreal provided an updated statement confirming that “All services have as been fully restored” and acknowledged the importance of connectivity for their customers [14].
The company’s initial response was criticized by users, with one social media post noting it was “actually insane that centurylink made no post about the outage” during the incident [4]. CenturyLink’s official Twitter account was reportedly responding to individual user reports with generic messages stating they were looking into a “possible disruption” [14].
The internet outage was ultimately attributed to DNS server issues rather than broader network infrastructure problems [9, 8]. Users who switched their DNS settings to alternative providers like Google (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1) were able to restore their internet connectivity during the outage [9, 7, 8].
This DNS-based solution allowed many users to work around the problem without waiting for official restoration of services, demonstrating both the technical nature of the issue and the resilience of alternative DNS infrastructure.
Business and Economic Impact
For Denver and Colorado businesses relying on Quantum Fiber for their internet connectivity, the internet outage represented a significant disruption during business hours [7]. Work-from-home employees were particularly affected, with users reporting concerns about lost productivity and income [7]. The outage highlighted the critical dependence of modern business operations on reliable internet infrastructure.
The incident also underscored the importance of redundant internet connections for businesses,as those with alternative providers were able to maintain operations while CenturyLink customers experienced service disruptions.
Broader Context and Future Implications
This internet outage occurred against the backdrop of significant changes in Colorado’s telecommunications landscape. AT&T announced in May 2025 that it would be acquiring lumen technologies’ home fiber business, including the Quantum Fiber brand, in a $5.75 billion deal [15].This acquisition will affect approximately 1 million Quantum Fiber customers nationwide, including an undisclosed number in Colorado [15].
The outage serves as a reminder of the critical importance of internet infrastructure and the need for reliable service from providers. As society becomes increasingly reliant on internet connectivity, even short disruptions can have significant consequences for individuals and businesses alike.
| Provider | Reported Outages | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| CenturyLink | 35,000+ | 2 hours 33 minutes |
| Quantum Fiber | 17,000+ | 2 hours 33 minutes |
| Brightspeed | 3,000+ | 2 hours 33 minutes |
Understanding Internet Outages: A Broader Perspective
Internet outages are not uncommon, and they can stem from various causes, including technical glitches, natural disasters, and even human error.The reliance on a complex network of servers and infrastructure means that any single point of failure can lead to widespread disruptions.Providers like CenturyLink, Quantum Fiber, and others invest heavily in redundancy and backup systems to minimize the impact of these outages, but complete prevention is often unachievable.
Historically, major internet outages have highlighted vulnerabilities in the internet’s architecture and have led to improvements in network resilience. Such as, the 2019 CenturyLink outage, caused by faulty network devices, prompted significant changes in network management and monitoring practices [16]. Similarly, the 2020 outage, triggered by a BGP routing mistake, underscored the importance of robust routing protocols and network security measures [17].
As internet infrastructure continues to evolve, with the deployment of 5G and the expansion of fiber optic networks, the potential for both increased reliability and new types of vulnerabilities will continue to shape the landscape of internet connectivity.
Frequently Asked Questions About Internet Outages
What should I do during an internet outage?
First, check your modem and router to ensure they are properly connected and powered on. Restarting these devices can often resolve minor connectivity issues. If the problem persists, contact your internet service provider to report the outage and inquire about estimated restoration times.
How can I find out if there is an internet outage in my area?
Check your internet service provider’s website or social media channels for updates. outage maps and customer support forums can also provide valuable data. Additionally, social media platforms like Twitter and Reddit often serve as real-time sources of information during widespread outages.
What are some common causes of internet outages?
Common causes include technical malfunctions, such as DNS server issues or routing problems, natural disasters like storms or floods, and human error during network maintenance. Cyberattacks can also cause outages, although they are less frequent than technical or environmental factors.
How can I prepare for future internet outages?
Consider having a backup internet connection, such as a mobile hotspot or a secondary provider. Ensure that critical devices, like smartphones and laptops, are fully charged. Familiarize yourself with alternative DNS servers, like Google (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1), which can be used to bypass DNS-related issues.
What is the role of DNS in internet connectivity?
DNS, or Domain Name System, translates domain names (like world-today-news.com) into IP addresses, which computers use to locate websites and other online resources. When DNS servers experience problems, users may be unable to access websites, even if their internet connection is otherwise functional.
What steps do you take to prepare for internet outages? how reliant is your business on a stable internet connection?
[1] [Placeholder 1 – Mashable Article about 2025 Outage]
[2] [Placeholder 2 – Yelp Quantum Fiber Rochester]
[3] [placeholder 3 – Mashable Article about 2025 Outage]
[4] [Placeholder 4 – Mashable Article about 2025 Outage]
[5] [Placeholder 5 – Mashable Article about 2025 Outage]
[6] [Placeholder 6 – Yelp Quantum Fiber Rochester]
[7] [Placeholder 7 – Reddit CenturyLink Thread]
[8] [Placeholder 8 – Reddit CenturyLink Thread]
[9] [Placeholder 9 – Reddit CenturyLink thread]
[10] [Placeholder 10 – Reddit CenturyLink Thread]
[11] [Placeholder 11 – Reddit CenturyLink Thread]
[12] The Register – CenturyLink 2019 Outage
[13] Catchpoint – CenturyLink 2020 Outage
[14] [Placeholder 14 – Mashable Article about 2025 Outage]
[15] [Placeholder 15 – mashable article about 2025 Outage]
[16] The Register – CenturyLink 2019 Outage
[17] Catchpoint – CenturyLink 2020 Outage
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