On Wednesday, thousands of Digi users across Spain suddenly lost the ability to make and receive calls. The outage affected both mobile and landline numbers, sparking widespread frustration and concern among customers. For many Spaniards who rely on stable communication for work and personal matters, the disruption proved challenging, especially with no official explanation from the operator.
The first reports of problems emerged shortly before 11 a.m., when users began mass complaints about being unable to make calls despite having signal and working mobile internet. According to EL PAÍS, technical experts identified a failure in the IMS system, which handles voice call processing in modern networks. At that moment, the ePDG server, responsible for providing internet access to the network core, stopped responding to requests—a fact confirmed by network tests during the incident.
Technical details of the outage
The issue was isolated: internet and mobile data continued to work without interruption, but voice calls and SMS were completely blocked. Users reported that call attempts were immediately dropped, and messages never reached recipients. Interestingly, when switching devices to 2G or 3G, some subscribers managed to temporarily restore service, indicating a failure specifically affecting VoLTE and voice over 4G/5G technologies.
According to Downdetector, the number of complaints surged from 1,249 to over 2,000 in just 20 minutes. The outage affected nearly all regions of the country, including Andalusia and Seville, where reports were most concentrated. Some Digi customers also experienced deteriorating mobile internet quality and were unable to reach customer support, as landline lines were also down.
Response and consequences
At the time of publication, Digi had not issued an official statement regarding the cause of the disruption or the timeline for restoring service. The lack of information heightened anxiety among subscribers, many of whom had to seek alternative ways to communicate. Possible technical explanations were discussed on social media and forums, but no verified details had been released.
According to EL PAÍS, Digi specialists continue working to resolve the malfunction, but it is still unclear when voice services will be restored. In some cases, users also reported issues with SMS, which further complicated communication for those who do not use messaging apps or internet calls.
Context and comparison
Mass communication outages in Spain are not new. In recent years, operators have faced technical challenges related to network upgrades and the transition to new communication standards. For example, last year in Andalusia, there was a discussion about the relocation and adaptation to new conditions, as was the case with María Jesús Montero, who, according to the relocation of the PSOE candidate to Seville, faced everyday difficulties amid important events.
Overall, such incidents highlight the vulnerability of modern telecommunications systems and the importance of backup communication channels. Recalling similar cases, it is notable that service restoration usually takes from several hours up to a full day, depending on the complexity of the technical issue. For many residents of Spain, these outages are a reminder of the need to have alternative means of communication, especially in critical situations.
In recent years, Spain has experienced disruptions in mobile operators’ services due to upgrades of network equipment and the introduction of new technologies. In 2024, several major providers have already faced temporary outages of voice services, sparking widespread discussion within the professional community. Such incidents typically lead to a review of security standards and accelerate infrastructure modernization. Despite regular investment in network development, it has not been possible to completely eliminate technical failures, and each new incident prompts analysis and the search for solutions.
