In efforts to modernize telecommunications and due to a sparsely used and antiquated system, AT&T submitted an application with two proposals to end their obligation to provide landline services to California customers within their service areas.
AT&T submitted an application on March 3, 2023, with two proposals to withdraw its Eligible Telecommunications Carrier designation – to basically end its landline service to many California customers.
The reason … they’re antiquated and sparsely used.
A spokesperson for AT&T said, “We are focused on enhancing our network with more advanced, higher-speed technologies like fiber and wireless, which consumers are increasingly demanding over outdated copper-based services.”
From the California Public Utilities Commission’s (CPUC) website, AT&T’s two proposals include: “Approval to be relieved of its Carrier of Last Resort (COLR) obligations in certain areas of California. If approved, AT&T would no longer be required to offer landline telephone service where it is currently required to offer Basic Service in those areas. Basic Service includes nine service elements such as Lifeline rates for eligible customers, free access to 9-1-1, Telephone Relay Service and directory and operator services. (A.23-03-003).”
The second proposal, “Approval to give up its designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC), which is a telephone company that operates in a specific geographic area that receives financial assistance from the federal government-established Universal Service Fund to provide high quality and affordable telephone service to customers at all income levels. (A.23-03-002).”
The landlines are not dead yet and not all landlines will be.
According to the AT&T spokesperson, remote areas will still have landline use.
“We are not canceling landline service. We are requesting that the California Public Utilities Commission grant us relief from our carrier of last resort obligations in areas of California where multiple options for home telephone service exist for consumers,” he said. “We would continue to provide service to rural areas of the state where we are the only provider.”
Many Orinda residences are not considered rural areas, and Co-Founder and Director of the Seniors Around Town (SAT) free ride program, Kate Wiley, has concerns for the elderly.
“Many of our senior riders use a landline exclusively and rely on it to work, since you don’t have to charge it every night. Others were forced by family to have a mobile phone but aren’t comfortable using it,” said Wiley. “Our concern is how will elderly seniors communicate with a doctor, call a friend or call SAT?”
Wiley emphasized that no one loves change and seniors in particular are uncomfortable, especially with technology.
“Even changing carriers is stressful. AT&T was founded as Southwestern Bell Corp., patented in 1875. Seniors grew up with ‘Ma Bell,’” said Wiley. “Landlines [which generally run over a copper network] will work even when the electricity is out. Cost may be an issue, too. We’re concerned that seniors will be targeted by ‘bad guys’ scaring them into buying something they don’t need and won’t
use.”
The AT&T spokesperson said that today Californians have access to mobile wireless and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) alternatives that are at least as affordable as copper-based landline service. VoIP is a technology that enables voice calls using a broadband internet connection instead of a landline.
He added that in California, 99.7% of consumers within their service territory have at least three facilities-based alternative options for voice service.
“Californians also have several providers to choose from if they want to participate in the federally-supported Lifeline program for broadband or voice/text bundles,” he added. “A CPUC report found that about 85% of Lifeline customers in California already obtain the Lifeline benefit for wireless services. We also offer the Access program, which provides low-cost internet service for eligible households with plans up to $30 per month and speeds up to 100Mbps where available.”
Landlines can be especially important when emergencies require 9-1-1 calls.
During the City Council Public Safety Subcommittee meeting held on Feb. 13 at Orinda City Hall, one Orinda resident raised the issue of 9-1-1 call response times. She said some residents in her neighborhood have experienced wait times of several minutes for their calls to be answered.
Orinda Police Chief Ryan Sullivan said that calls from landlines go directly to the Sheriff’s office and are answered immediately, while cell phone calls to 9-1-1 depend on cell towers to direct the calls which may go to the California Highway Patrol.
Customers are invited to participate in expressing “their comments, raise concerns and speak to a CPUC Administrative Law Judge” regarding AT&T’s two proposals.
At the CPUC’s request, AT&T will hold public forums. While most of the in-person public forums are located in Clovis, Ukiah and Indio, the two final forums held in Indio will be virtual with remote access on March 19 at 2 p.m. at https://bit.ly/3SVPyuY and at 6 p.m. https://bit.ly/3OAw2C0.
AT&T customers can watch the hearings via livestream access or participate by telephone. Comments can also be submitted by mail (CPUC Public Advisor, 505 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102) or posted on the CPUC’s public comment portal at https://bit.ly/4bvALP5.
According to the notice, once the final public forum ends, the process includes the CPUC Administrative Law Judge and a Commissioner to consider proposals and evidence presented during formal processes and then issue a proposed decision.
It goes on to state that any CPUC Commissioner may sponsor an alternate decision with a different outcome.
The proposed decision – and any alternate decisions – will be discussed and voted upon by the CPUC Commissioners at a public CPUC Voting Meeting. A date has not yet been set.
Parties involved in the rulemaking include the Public Advocates Office. To find out more about the Public Advocates Office, contact 415.703.1584, email PublicAdvocatesOffice@cpuc.ca.gov or visit PublicAdvocates.cpuc.ca.gov.
While other phone carriers, such as Xfinity and Frontier, offer landline services, their pricing may differ from AT&T’s.
Wiley has been an AT&T customer her entire life and, at age 70, said her household relies on their landline.
“We maintain a landline because our – now antiquated – alarm system required a dedicated line,” she said. “And my husband works at home and still uses the big multi-line desk business phone, along with his two mobile phones.”
