AT&T: Your Landline Is Not Going Away But It Needs An Upgrade
AT&T says outdated technologies need to go as it seeks to end certain service obligations for traditional landlines in parts of California.
AT&T's recent request to end its obligations to provide service for traditional landlines in several California regions does not mean the company is walking away from providing landline service, a company spokesperson recently told Kiplinger.
It is, however, part of the telecom giant's broad-based effort to switch customers away from "outdated technologies" such as copper-based phone lines to more modern services such as fiber or wireless technology, the spokesperson said in an email.
Amid pushback from several groups, the company has requested that the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) relieve it of its obligations as the "largest carrier of last resort" (COLR) to provide service for landlines in certain areas of California, including the counties of Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino. The company, which is the largest COLR in the state, is obligated to ensure that everyone has access to safe, reliable and affordable telephone service, according to the CPUC.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
AT&T, Verizon and other telecom providers have been working to transition customers away from basic landline phone service to newer technologies including Voice Over IP (VOIP). Both AT&T and Verizon have previously indicated that they aim to move to newer infrastructure in the next few years, according to a February 5 CNN Business report.
The AT&T spokesperson told Kiplinger that fiber optic technology can be used for internet and/or as a landline telephone.
"We are not canceling landline service," the spokesperson said. "Californians have options besides AT&T for telephone service," he said, adding that 99.7% of consumers within AT&T's service territory have at least three facilities-based alternative options for voice service.
But some groups including the Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC), an advocacy organization that has formally opposed the AT&T request, disagree. The landline service that AT&T now provides has a uniform set of minimum service standards and regulations "that do not extend to new technologies that provide similar service, such as wireline Voice Over IP," the group says.
If approved, more than 580,000 affected AT&T customers would be left with fewer options in terms of choice, quality and affordability, RCRC says. "Alternative services, such as VoIP and wireless, have no obligation to serve a customer or to provide equivalent services to AT&T landline customers, including no obligation to provide reliable access to 9-1-1 or LifeLine program discounts."
The CPUC is now holding public hearings on the request. For more information on participating, contact the CPUC’s Public Advisor’s Office by emailing public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov, calling 1-866-849-8390 or visiting the CPUC’s website.
Related Content
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.

Joey Solitro is a freelance financial journalist at Kiplinger with more than a decade of experience. A longtime equity analyst, Joey has covered a range of industries for media outlets including The Motley Fool, Seeking Alpha, Market Realist, and TipRanks. Joey holds a bachelor's degree in business administration.
-
How Prepaid Verizon Phone Service Works and When It's a Smart ChoiceExplore the differences between Verizon Prepaid and Verizon Postpaid plans—costs, perks, flexibility, and when going prepaid makes sense.
-
Child-Free Cruises Perfect For Your Retirement CelebrationHow to find a bespoke ocean or river vacation for adults. Many of these options are smaller, charming river cruises, expeditions, or niche experiences.
-
My First $1 Million: Biopharmaceutical Senior Manager, 45, MassachusettsEver wonder how someone who's made a million dollars or more did it? Kiplinger's My First $1 Million series uncovers the answers.
-
What Is the 1% Deductible Rule in Home Insurance?You could be overpaying for home insurance if your deductible is too low. But going too high can be just as risky. That's where the 1% deductible rule comes in.
-
The Delayed September CPI Report is Out. Here's What it Signals for the Fed.The September CPI report showed that inflation remains tame – and all but confirms another rate cut from the Fed.
-
Starbucks Just Announced Red Cup Day and It's Sooner Than You ThinkThe coffee chain's annual holiday cup giveaway returns — with a twist — as the holiday beverage lineup launches early and staff investments ramp up.
-
Avoid These Four Mistakes in the Run Up to RetirementYou can learn a thing or two from the retirees who went before you.
-
Where to Deposit Your Social Security CheckIf you receive Social Security checks, where you deposit them matters because it can help grow your earnings. See the best options.

