California Urges FCC to Block AT&T Landline Shutdown for 199,000 Customers
Updated
Updated · The Mercury News · Jun 17
California Urges FCC to Block AT&T Landline Shutdown for 199,000 Customers
3 articles · Updated · The Mercury News · Jun 17
Summary
A June 15 letter from California and the CPUC asked the FCC to reject AT&T’s petitions—or at least pull them from streamlined review—saying the carrier has not shown ending landlines would avoid public harm.
AT&T wants to begin disconnecting service as early as June 1, 2027, arguing it spends about $1 billion a year maintaining California landlines and cannot modernize while keeping the copper network.
State officials said AT&T has not proved wireless or broadband alternatives are reliable enough, especially during earthquakes, fires, floods and storms or in rural, low-income and Tribal areas with weak cell coverage.
The filing also challenged AT&T’s proposed replacement service, saying the roughly $45-a-month device could require separate internet service and end up costing more than basic landlines for some customers.
The fight follows a March FCC order letting telecom companies appeal state landline restrictions; AT&T is also suing California after regulators last year rejected a similar plan.