We're still piecing together what caused Verizon's extended service blackout, but network experts point to possibilities based on how it transpired.

The carrier is sending out text messages to notify users about the $20 credit, which will be applied to a future bill. Some, however, say it's not enough to cover a lost day of work.

Verizon has received all approvals it needs for a $9.6 billion acquisition of Frontier Communications, an Internet service provider with about 3.3 million broadband customers in 25 states. Verizon said it expects to complete the merger on January 20.

Verizon is offering a $20 account credit to customers affected by a widespread outage that disrupted service across the United States. Newsweek contacted Verizon for comment via email outside regular business hours.

Following this week's major outage, Verizon customers were offered $20 in account credits — but Visible users only get $5.

Verizon says it's working to restore service. But if your Verizon device still shows "SOS" instead of service bars, you're affected by today's outage.

Tess Coward, a 27-year-old PR professional based in New York City, woke up feeling under the weather on Wednesday. But without the ability to make phone calls or receive text messages, she couldn’t get in touch with her doctor or log into the provider’s patient portal.

Verizon’s outage yesterday was bad, but it proved the company knows one thing: When things go wrong, humans want to speak to humans.