AT&T's plan to kill landline service in Bay Area stirs controversy, outrage

AT&T is attempting to pull its landline service from much of California and the Bay Area, raising concerns among those living in rural areas who rely on the service during emergencies. AT&T submitted an application early in 2023 to end its status as California’s Carrier of Last Resort, or COLR, in a vast swath of the state. The designation requires the company to provide basic telephone service, typically in the form of landline service, to any residents who request it. In its application to the state Public Utilities Commission, which will ultimately have the final say on the matter, AT&T argued that having to maintain an “antiquated, narrowband network with an ever-dwindling base of subscribers” gives other companies a competitive advantage. It said the number of California households using landline service dropped 89% between 2000 and 2021. The California Public Utilities Commission has scheduled a series of public hearings where residents are encouraged to share their feedback on AT&T’s proposal. An evidentiary hearing is scheduled for April, and a proposed decision from the commission is expected by September.