July 22, 2025 - A contentious bill making its way through the California legislature could fundamentally alter the landscape of telephone service in the state, potentially allowing AT&T to phase out its traditional copper-wire landline service in many areas. The bill, AB 470, pits the push for technological advancement against deep-seated concerns for public safety and universal access.
At the heart of the debate is AT&T's legal designation as a "Carrier of Last Resort" (COLR). This long-standing obligation requires the company to provide basic landline telephone service to any customer within its territory who requests it. This includes the costly maintenance of an aging copper-wire network that has served as a reliable communication backbone for decades.
AB 470 proposes to relieve AT&T of this COLR duty, particularly in areas the state deems "well-served" by alternative communication options or in regions with no population reported by the US Census Bureau.
AT&T and supporters of the bill argue that the COLR mandate is an outdated regulation hindering progress. They contend that freeing the company from the burden of maintaining the legacy copper network will unlock significant investment in modern infrastructure, such as fiber optics and advanced Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) systems. Proponents believe this shift will ultimately lead to more reliable, feature-rich, and affordable communication services for Californians.
"This is about modernizing our communication infrastructure for the 21st century," a spokesperson for a tech advocacy group supporting the bill might state. "Continuing to mandate investment in yesterday's technology diverts resources that could be building the faster, more efficient networks our state needs."
However, the proposal has drawn fierce opposition from a broad coalition of consumer advocacy groups, rural communities, and emergency services personnel. Critics raise alarms about the potential impact on public safety, especially during natural disasters like wildfires and earthquakes, which frequently cause widespread power outages.
Traditional copper landlines are uniquely resilient during such events because they carry their own low-voltage electrical current from the central telephone office, meaning they can function even when the power is out. They also do not rely on cellular networks, which can become congested or damaged during a large-scale emergency.
"For many residents in rural and remote areas, a traditional landline isn't a choice; it's a lifeline," said a representative from a consumer watchdog group. "When the power is out and cell towers are down, that simple copper line is the only reliable way to call for help. Removing that safety net is a risk we can't afford to take."
This is not the first time AT&T has sought to end its landline obligation. Last year, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) rejected a direct request from the company to do so after receiving thousands of public comments opposing the move.
AB 470 attempts to address some of these concerns with built-in consumer protections. The bill would require AT&T to continue service for existing customers for at least 12 months after being granted relief. It would also mandate the offering of a "comparable alternative voice service" and provide discounted broadband plans for eligible low-income consumers.
Furthermore, the bill tasks the CPUC, in consultation with the Governor's Office of Emergency Services (OES), with establishing a formal process to review and approve any request for COLR relief. This process would include requirements for public notification and give communities the opportunity to challenge an application.
As AB 470 continues to be debated in legislative committees, Californians are left to weigh the promise of a fiber-optic future against the proven reliability of a communication system that has served as a bedrock of public safety for generations. The bill's outcome will likely set a major precedent for the future of telecommunications regulation across the country.