The California Public Utilities Commission will consider removing AT&T as the “Carrier of Last Resort” (COLR) in some sections of Humboldt County during a series of public hearings starting February 6.
Last March, AT&T filed a 135 page application to be released from their obligation to provide what it called an “outdated COLR obligation, which effectively mandates AT&T California to maintain a copper-based network throughout its service territory.”
The company claims it is not fair that they have to offer landline services while their competitors do not, especially with the “ever-dwindling base of subscribers.” They point to the increased use of fiber and wireless technology for phones.
This is a map of the areas in question.
In areas where customers do not have those options, AT&T said it would remain as the COLR while working to add broadband technology in those communities.
In a letter sent to AT&T landline customers, the company said:
“If the CPUC approves AT&T’s application as proposed, it would mean:
For Traditional Landline Phone Service Customers:
• AT&T would continue providing traditional landline phone service to existing customers until all federal and state regulatory processes are completed. AT&T has also committed to providing service to existing traditional landline phone customers for at least six months after the CPUC approves the application.
• AT&T would communicate with traditional landline phone customers about the process of changing your existing service to either a different voice service available from AT&T, or a voice service offered by another provider in your area.
• AT&T would remain the COLR in areas where no alternative voice services are yet available and continue to provide traditional landline phone service to our customers until proven alternatives become available.
For Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) Customers:
• Customers with VoIP service could be affected in the future since approval of this application will be a first step towards AT&T transitioning to IP-enabled wireless and fiber networks.”
This would not affect AT&T wireless customers.
Several public hearings are scheduled for this.
The first one is February 6 at 2pm in Clovis.
You can find the complete schedule, including a virtual meeting, here
