The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has denied AT&T’s bid to discontinue landline telephone service and other offerings under its status as the “carrier of last resort,” a decision announced on Thursday. Marin County officials reported that AT&T’s request, submitted in March 2023, sought to terminate services to more than 580,000 eligible households statewide.
In its rejection, the CPUC clarified that AT&T remains allowed to phase out copper facilities and invest in fiber or other technologies to enhance its network infrastructure. AT&T California President Marc Blakeman responded, affirming the company’s commitment to maintaining connectivity for its customers while collaborating with state leaders on transitioning to modern communications across California.
Blakeman assured that existing traditional landline voice services would continue until viable alternatives are available, emphasizing that no customer would lose access to essential voice and 911 services. Commissioner John Reynolds underscored the CPUC’s stance, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding customer access to fundamental telephone services regardless of location or income level.
The CPUC also announced the initiation of a new rulemaking process to update its regulations in response to changing market dynamics and technological advancements. AT&T reiterated its compliance with the stringent review processes mandated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to ensure continuous access to reliable voice services for Californians. Additionally, the company pointed to proposed legislation aimed at protecting rural customers from service disruptions as part of its ongoing commitment to customer connectivity and regulatory compliance.
