tech
AT&T loses key ruling in bid to stop offering basic phone service in California
AT&T suffers setback but will keep asking court and FCC to preempt state rules.
TL;DR
- A federal judge denied AT&T's request for an injunction to halt California's Carrier of Last Resort (COLR) rules.
- AT&T wants to stop offering basic phone service to new customers and discontinue service for approximately 184,000 residential and 15,000 business customers by June 1, 2027.
- AT&T claims California's rules conflict with a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) order and cost $1 billion annually to maintain an outdated network.
- California argues its rules are technology-neutral, allowing service via copper, fiber, or wireless, and that AT&T seeks to be released from COLR obligations entirely.
- The state also contends that AT&T has not formally sought to substitute its copper-based service with alternatives like AT&T Phone-Advanced (AP-A) as required by state regulations.