Update: This evening, area users on the Verizon cell network are reporting that their service has been restored to normal. We have no other information directly from Verizon.

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Earlier reporting:

If you are currently experiencing a busy signal when trying to dial a cell phone, you are not alone.  According to a spokesperson with Verizon Wireless, cell service interruption was first reported at 1:12 p.m. this afternoon and is due to a “switch problem.”

The problem seems to stem from a switch in the Columbia, SC area, however, all areas serviced by that switch, including Columbia and West Columbia, are experiencing outages.  The spokesperson with whom The Advertiser spoke had no clear time frame as to when service might be re-established, but she did say it could take up to 24 hours.  The spokesperson was clear, however, to maintain, this outage has solely to do with the problem switch and does not have anything to do with problems to any of the carrier’s towers.

No cause has been given at this time for the switch’s malfunction.