AT&T Sues California to End Requirement for Copper Phone Service

AT&T has filed a lawsuit against California officials seeking a court order declaring it is not required to continue offering traditional copper-wire telephone service to new customers, as it pledged to invest $19 billion in modern telecom infrastructure, David Shepardson reported for Reuters.

Telecom companies have long sought to retire copper landline networks in favor of fiber/IP systems. (Photo: Center for Land Use Interpretation)

AT&T argues that California requires it to spend about $1 billion annually maintaining a legacy landline network that is now used by only around 3% of households in its California service area.

The company named the California Public Utilities Commission and the state attorney general in its lawsuit.

AT&T also said it plans to invest $19 billion in California to expand high-speed connectivity to more than 4 million additional homes and businesses by 2030, arguing that IP-based networks are more reliable and efficient.

Separately, AT&T filed a petition with the Federal Communications Commission seeking permission to discontinue traditional phone service in parts of California where modern service is already available.