Nevada City, CA – The Board of Supervisors unanimously voted Tuesday to send a letter to the California Public Utilities Commission urging it to deny AT&T’s request to discontinue copper- based landlines.
AT&T wants to upgrade to wireless or fiber technology, but Supervisors fear that could leave thousands in Nevada County without any phone service at all. Since AT&T’s plans were announced last summer, approximately 90 residents have contacted County officials asking to keep landline service.
“People in rural areas like ours rely on their landlines for life-saving information, especially during emergencies like snow storms and wildfires,” said Board of Supervisors Vice Chair Heidi Hall. “There are not yet viable options for many of us living where the Internet and cell service are not reliable. AT&T needs to rethink their strategy to take areas like ours into account.”
Supervisor Sue Hoek said: “AT&T says they commit to our landline customers and that they will not be left without service during the transition period to newer technologies, but it will be years in the future before customers in rural Nevada County have access to these new technologies. There is no assurance to being served in the future, including after a natural disaster that damages communications equipment and infrastructure. This could result in life-and-death situations.”
If the California Public Utilities Commission approves AT&T’s request, AT&T could cancel landline service to customers within six months of that decision.
The Board of Supervisors encourages the public to make comments about the issue directly to the California Public Utilities Commission:
CPUC Informational Website Link: https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/news-and-updates/all-news/cpuc- invites-you-to-public-forums-on-att-requests-regarding-voice-service-obligations-2024.
CPUC Online Comment Forum
Link: https://apps.cpuc.ca.gov/apex/f?p=401:65:0::NO:RP,57,RIR:P5_PROCEEDING_SELECT:A2 303003.