California · AT&T · FCC · Ars Technica
AT&T drops key ruling in bid to stop offering basic phone service in California
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California can keep enforcing rules that require AT&T to offer basic phone service to new customers in its wireline territory, following a federal judge’s ruling last week.
Key facts
- In addition to seeking a preemption order, AT&T asked the FCC for permission to discontinue copper-based service to 184,000 residential customers and 15,000 business customers on June 1, 2027
- AT&T wants to stop offering basic phone service to new customers and discontinue service for 184,000 residential customers and 15,000 business customers on June 1, 2027
- AT&T has said it has received relief from COLR obligations in 20 of the 21 states in its wireline service territory, all except California
- The case is in US District Court for the Southern District of California
Summary
AT&T sued California in May in a bid to end the state’s Carrier of Last Resort (COLR) rules that require it to offer telephone service to any potential customer in its territory. To win a preliminary injunction, AT&T had to show it is likely to succeed on the merits of its claim that California rules are preempted by a Federal Communications Commission order. AT&T wants to stop offering basic phone service to new customers and discontinue service for 184,000 residential customers and 15,000 business customers on June 1, 2027. AT&T could appeal Lopez’s ruling to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals and could appeal later if it loses the underlying case.