12:14 PM EST, 03/07/2024 (MT Newswires) -- (Updates with statements from FCC and AT&T ( T ).)

AT&T's ( T ) network outage that disrupted wireless service on Feb. 22 has prompted a formal investigation by the Federal Communications Commission in the US, the agency said Thursday.

"The FCC is carrying out a thorough investigation into a nationwide outage of the AT&T ( T ) network that affected millions of consumers and disrupted access to lifesaving communications," FCC spokesman Jonathan Uriarte said in a statement emailed to MT Newswires.

The agency has asked AT&T ( T ) to provide more in-depth information about the cause, effect and the company's response to the incident, he said.

"Given the sensitive nature of this matter, we will not comment further on the details of this investigation," Uriarte said.

AT&T ( T ), in a statement sent to MT Newswires in response to a request for comment, said it is "already working with the FCC on its review."

AT&T ( T ) previously said that based on its initial assessment, the outage was caused by "the application and execution of an incorrect process used while working to expand our network, not a cyber attack."

AT&T ( T ) shares were down nearly 1% in recent trading.

Price: 17.03, Change: -0.15, Percent Change: -0.88