Protect Emergency & Phone Communications

CPUC Proposal Requires AT&T to Remain Carrier of Last Resort & Preserve Landlines

On May 10, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) issued a proposed decision to dismiss AT&T’s application to withdraw as Carrier of Last Resort (COLR), requiring AT&T to continue to provide landline telephone service to all customers in its territory in California. The CPUC also proposed to open up a new policy proceeding to update COLR obligations to provide basic phone service given technological advances.

“I expect the Commissioners to vote to dismiss AT&T’s application to abandon its obligations to provide basic phone service because no other carriers answered the CPUC call to indicate interest in serving as Carrier of Last Resort.”
— Regina Costa, TURN Telecommunications Policy Director.

5,000 residents from across the state submitted written comments to the CPUC, expressing their concerns about losing the landline phone service that they depend upon to reach first responders in times of emergency. And nearly 6,000 California residents attended at least one of eight Public Forums held across the state, either in-person or virtually, to share how critical it is for them, and for their communities, to retain landline phone service. The proposed decision quoted extensively from comments provided by the public.

The earliest that the CPUC Commissioner may vote to dismiss AT&T’s application to withdraw as Carrier of Last Resort is at their June 20, 2024, Public Meeting. In the meantime, TURN fully expects AT&T to mount a vigorous campaign directed at the Commissioners, the Legislature, and the media, in hopes of convincing the Commissioners to keep AT&T’s dreams alive, of abandoning landline service in California.

Join thousands of California residents to protect emergency and phone communications

Submit your public comments here and support the CPUC's proposed decision to dismiss AT&T's application (A.23-03-003) by June 20.