AB 2395: It authorizes AT&T to abandon their land-based phone networks and to withdraw phone service from any community, at any time, even if no options exist for other phone or broadband service. This bill would allow AT&T to eliminate landline phone service and will have negative impacts on millions of Californians, including the elderly and those with disabilities.
We believe changes to universal service policy should only be set after extensive consultation, and must include meaningful protections for those groups most dependent on landlines. Seniors depend heavily on legacy technology, and Californians with disabilities depend on landlines for health monitoring, TTY, and unlimited toll-free access for public services.
This legislation is not needed to give phone companies a way to restructure. There is currently a process in place that allows AT&T to make changes to their services—the CPUC. Phone companies can come before the CPUC to argue their case, as can those who would be affected by any proposed changes. Everyone has an opportunity to be heard. The CPUC’s authority to regulate telecoms is needed to protect consumer rights. It’s not just about profits. It’s also about people.
In addition, landlines operate for weeks in power outages, unlike mobile or VOIP phones. And here in the Bay Area, we know landlines will be needed when a big earthquake hits. Wired systems serve as 911 backups when others fail.