California Accuses AT&T of Misleading FCC Over Copper Network Shutdown
California state regulators allege that AT&T provided false information to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in an effort to discontinue its legacy copper phone network. The state and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) filed a statement on June 15, refuting AT&T's assertion that California seeks to impede the phasing out of copper facilities in favor of fiber optic infrastructure. This accusation comes amidst AT&T's ongoing legal challenges against California and its petitions to the FCC to preempt state regulations regarding phone service discontinuation.
California state regulators have accused AT&T of misleading the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in an attempt to shut down its old copper phone network without ensuring an adequate replacement service.
In a June 15 filing, the state of California and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) stated that AT&T has asserted for years that California aims to block or hinder wireline carriers from discontinuing copper facilities and investing in fiber. California has directly refuted this claim, stating, "It is not and has never been true."
This dispute follows AT&T's lawsuit against California over the state's refusal to permit the company to cease providing phone service to all potential customers within its wireline network territory. Concurrently, AT&T has petitioned the FCC, seeking a declaration that California cannot enforce its existing rules. The company aims to obtain permission to stop providing service to approximately 199,000 phone customers.
According to Ars Technica, these actions highlight a continuing conflict between the telecommunications giant and state regulators regarding the future of legacy phone infrastructure and service provision.
