A request by telecommunications giant AT&T to withdraw from the requirement to offer landline and other traditional phone services to large swaths of California customers appears doomed to failure after the state commission answerable for reviewing such requests signaled its opposition in a news release Friday has.
The California Public Utilities Commission published a proposal Rejecting AT&T's request to withdraw as a carrier of last resort provider after the request sparked an amazing public outcry from customers across the state, including many in Santa Cruz County.
The proposal is predicted to be on the agenda of the Commission's voting meeting on June 20.
According to the press release, the proposed denial appears to be based largely on AT&T's failure to offer sufficient alternatives to the landline option that many residents still depend on for essential services.
“The CPUC’s proposal underscores the critical importance of ensuring universal access to essential telecommunications services for all Californians,” the discharge said. “Despite AT&T’s assertion that providers of voice alternatives to wireline services – such as VoIP or cellular service – can fill the gap, the CPUC found that AT&T has not met the requirements for COLR withdrawal. In particular, AT&T could not demonstrate the availability of replacement providers willing and able to act as a COLR, nor could AT&T demonstrate that alternative providers met the COLR definition.”
AT&T is currently the most important load-resort provider within the state, meaning that in areas where it’s the default telephone service provider, it’s required to offer “traditional telephone service” to each potential customer in its service area who visits incessantly the form of copper landline connections.
Despite AT&T's assurances that it might not limit service in areas without viable alternatives – comparable to cellular or internet-based options – many purchasers within the county, particularly in rural or mountainous areas, said the request caused them to panic. Many feared that although that they had mobile phone service, it was unreliable and in emergency situations – comparable to a forest fire – a dropped call could mean the difference between life and death. Even when internet-based options are technically available, they often fail during wildfires or storms.
“This is a victory for many in our community who rely on landlines as a lifeline,” said Santa Cruz County 2nd District Supervisor Zach Friend, who attended one in all the commission's public forums to talk out against the proposal. in an email to the Sentinel. “It is clear that there is no adequate backup system for many of our rural residents. Until this is the case, there is no place for requests to stop the service, which in my opinion leaves these residents in the lurch.”
In FebruaryFriend, along along with his 4 colleagues on the county board, voted to approve sending a letter to the state commission expressing his opposition to the request.
AT&T argued that fixed-line technology is outdated and has develop into a competitive drawback, consuming resources that may very well be higher used for research into recent technologies. It also downplayed the pace of the change, saying the withdrawal process could take months and even years if the request is approved.
“We are disappointed by the CPUC's proposed denial of our request for an exemption from the Carrier of Last Resort Regulation (COLR), as we had hoped the Commission would give us an opportunity to demonstrate why the number of the “With so many voice service options available to customers, the COLR requirement is unnecessary,” AT&T wrote in an announcement to the Sentinel. “Given the competitive options in today's market, it's no surprise that no provider was interested in bidding on a service that was seeing declining customer numbers. We remain committed to keeping our customers connected to voice services and will continue to work with state leaders on policies that will allow us to provide modern communications to Californians.”
The proposal also includes the Commission's intention to initiate a brand new rulemaking process aimed toward adapting its regulations to changing market conditions and technological advances, the press release said.
“This is a great direction, especially for our isolated seniors in the mountains,” said Gine Johnson, an analyst with fifth District Supervisor Bruce McPherson, who represents the San Lorenzo Valley. “We will definitely call the (CPUC), testify and send something showing that we certainly fully support that direction.”
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