AT&T seeks to cut landline service to much of California, Lake Tahoe Basin included

Many mountain and remote residents in California rely on landlines for their telephones, and a proposal before the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) could bring those to an end.

On March 3, 2023, AT&T California applied to be relieved as the Carrier of Last Resort (COLR) for its obligation and certain associated tariff obligations to many areas of the state, including the Lake Tahoe Basin. CPUC is holding in-person and virtual public forums for customers of AT&T to provide input into the company’s two proposals to remove its obligation to provide voice services in its service territories.

Many mountain residents are dependent upon wireline service when there are extreme weather events, rugged topography, and no reliable substitute service from other providers. A lot of those residents cannot use cell phones in their homes and cabins due to a lack of cell service. Should AT&T be able to move away from landlines, some Tahoe Basin customers will be without access to calling 911 in the case of emergency, or stay informed in the case of fire or other disasters, and there'd be no functioning communication in the event of a power outage.

In the map above, the blue-shaded areas are where AT&T wants to withdraw as COLR, and violet is where the company proposes they be able to withdraw in the future with a letter to the customer. A full map can be found HERE.

AT&T runs the Federal Lifeline program which is a low-income program that helps eligible households pay for home or cell phone service. Currently, AT&T offers federal Lifeline service throughout its entire California service territory. AT&T also wants to stop offering federal Lifeline service. These services are the only safe, affordable, and reliable phone service, and, in certain areas, AT&T is the only available landline service provider, according to the Center for Accessible Technology and Utility Reform Network in their letter to the CPUC.

There are no in-person forums near Lake Tahoe, but comments can be made HERE.

The public forums will begin with a brief overview of AT&T’s proposals, then parties to the proceeding may provide brief overviews, and then public comments will be heard. At least one representative from AT&T will be available to answer questions about individual customer bills or services.

You can also make your voice heard in the proceedings, and read the comments of others, on our online Docket Card comment section for the proceedings at apps.cpuc.ca.gov/c/A2303002 for Application of AT&T California to Withdraw its Eligible Telecommunications Carrier Designation; or apps.cpuc.ca.gov/c/A2303003 for Application of AT&T California for Relief from its Carrier of Last Resort Obligation.