Brian Kaberline

AT&T is all but pulling out of programs that subsidize phone service for low-income customers in Kansas and Missouri. The telecommunication company notified regulators that it will pull out of the Kansas Lifeline Service Program in most parts of the state. AT&T will end its participation in urban areas, but will continue to offer Lifeline discounts in some rural areas. While participation in the program has increased to 62,000, AT&T serves fewer than 3,000. AT&T previously notified Missouri officials that it will end its participation in voluntary Lifeline and Disabled programs in the state as of July 5. The company said it now serves only about 4.2 percent of Missouri’s 156,000 Lifeline customers.