California commission signals opposition to AT&T request to shut down wired phones – By PK Hattis (Los Angeles Daily News) / May 11, 2024
A request from telecommunications giant AT&T to withdraw itself from an obligation to provide landline and other traditional telephone services to large swaths of California customers appears doomed after the state commission responsible for considering such applications signaled its opposition in a news release Friday.
The California Public Utilities Commission released a proposal to reject AT&T’s application to remove itself as a carrier of last resort provider after the request sparked an overwhelming public outcry from customers across the state, including many in Santa Cruz County.
The proposal is expected to appear on the commission’s June 20 voting meeting agenda.
According to the release, the proposed rejection appears based in large part on AT&T’s failure to demonstrate sufficient alternatives to the landline option many residents still rely on for critical services.
