Hundreds of thousands of California households could lose their landline service under a new state bill that would allow AT&T to be relieved of its legal obligation to be a carrier of last resort. That requires the telecom giant to offer landlines to anyone who wants one.
AT&T says the bill would ensure the company’s transition from “antiquated” copper landlines to a more modern network in phases over time. But digital equity advocates say the move would be detrimental for public safety – especially in the case of a wildfire or earthquake.
“ The bill is not just about copper landlines,” said Regina Costa of The Utility Reform Network or TURN, an advocacy group that has helped organize residents around the landline issue. “It’s about the mandate… to make sure that every single customer in California has reliable telecom service and it doesn’t matter what the technology is.”
What would be the impact?
About 500,000 Californians receive landline services from AT&T, including many older adults and people with disabilities. Experts say landlines are the most reliable form of communication, especially for people who live in rural, tribal or coastal communities that lack reliable alternatives…