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June 15, 2026 - Rural County Representatives of California reports across California, AT&T customers are receiving notices stating that their traditional landline service will be discontinued and encouraging them to switch to alternative technologies. While these letters may sound definitive, they can be misleading and do not fully reflect AT&T’s ongoing obligation to provide basic telephone service to its California customers upon request. For many households—particularly seniors, rural residents, and those who depend on reliable service for health and safety—and small businesses, these notices create unnecessary confusion and concern about losing a vital connection.
If you or someone you know has received one of these notices, it’s important to know that help is available to keep you connected. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced how to object to service discontinuance, see here. Additionally, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) oversees these services and accepts consumer complaints. You can learn more or file a complaint by visiting www.cpuc.ca.gov/complaints, or by calling 1-800-649-7570. The CPUC is also considering reform efforts to California’s universal service commitments. To provide public comments, see here.
ABOUT RURAL COUNTY REPRESENTATIVES OF CALIFORNIA (RCRC)
The Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) is a thirty-seven member county strong service organization that champions policies on behalf of California’s rural counties. RCRC is dedicated to representing the collective unique interests of its membership, providing legislative and regulatory representation at the State and Federal levels, and providing responsible services for its members to enhance and protect the quality of life in rural California counties. To learn more about RCRC, visit rcrcnet.org and follow @RuralCounties on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Source: RCRC