AT&T is still on the hook for offering landline service in California

AT&T can’t propulsion the plug connected landline work for customers crossed California. In a ruling connected Thursday, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) rejected AT&T’s petition to merchandise it from its obligations arsenic a Carrier of Last Resort (COLR), arsenic reported earlier by Ars Technica and CBS News.

AT&T has had a COLR designation successful California since 1996, which ensures everyone successful the authorities has entree to affordable and reliable telephone service. Some radical successful California — particularly those who unrecorded successful distant areas — person travel to trust connected their landline service, arsenic it allows them to marque exigency calls adjacent erstwhile the powerfulness is retired oregon cellular work isn’t available.

Earlier this year, AT&T asked CPUC to beryllium released from its duties arsenic a designated carrier, citing the wide availability of mobile work and VoIP. In its request, AT&T argues the “economic justification” for COLR nary longer exists due to the fact that alternate dependable services with “reasonable rates” and “based connected superior technologies” are disposable passim the state. The institution adds that it “bears important outgo to support and operate” the copper landline network, portion competitors don’t person to. AT&T says it would proceed providing landline work successful areas wherever determination is nary alternate available.

However, CPUC rejected AT&T’s request. The bureau says “AT&T failed to show the availability of replacement providers consenting and capable to service arsenic COLR.” The determination besides cites nationalist commenters who brought up the “unreliability” of mobile work and VoIP. AT&T is now pushing for caller rules that would alteration the mode California designates a COLR.

“No lawsuit volition beryllium near without dependable and 911 services,” Marc Blakeman, president of AT&T California, says successful an emailed connection to The Verge. “We are afloat committed to keeping our customers connected portion we enactment with authorities leaders connected policies that make a thoughtful modulation that brings modern communications to each Californians.”