The servers aren't down, they are just broken. I don't know what server status message you are getting, but I have logged into the Xbox 360 game everyday since January and have been unable to play online like I have in the past.
I've played xbox 360 games for 8 years. So I know all about opening ports, clearing system cache, and nat errors. And I have beaten this game and have gotten all achievements in it except for the glitched one due to bad coding. So I have a good understanding of how the game is supposed to function.
Simply put, there is no troubleshooting on my end that will resolve this issue because it is not specific to me. My friend has the same issue as well as a bunch of other people. I've already proven to you that no one in the world has been able to play online since December because you can track specific achievements and see when it was last unlocked. No one has been able to play online.
And until this issue is actually brought to EA's attention and actually tested in the game, it can't be fixed. So can you please forward this issue to the appropriate people or test it yourself if you have the game? You should be able to host an unranked lobby to invite friends if the servers are working properly.
And to the previous poster: I've already said that this is an xbox 360 issue. The PC version of this game is different and looks like its functioning fine according to your testimony. But that doesn't help me on the xbox 360.