Landlines at risk across California
AT&T is pushing forward with plans to end its landline service across the state, which could leave those in rural areas at risk.
For over a year now, AT&T and other services have been in talks with the California Public Utilities Commission about removing copper wire landline services.
California Assembly Bill 470 is a bill that is looking to remove that aging technology; technology that some rural communities in California rely on.
Just outside of Monterey County, Dan Conley is a neighbor in San Luis Obispo County without a landline, but also often without cellular connection.
"We've just got so many dead spots from here to the bottom of the hill right down here," Conley said.
Conley said the the complete area was a dead zone.
"It's really hit or miss. I mean, it gets good, then it gets bad," Conley said. "If they would put in a different tower or something like that or one right up on the hill here, that would probably enhance our service. I would be all for wireless"
A concern people in the area are voicing against this bill is that without landlines, they will not be able to contact their family, friends or emergency services.
In a statement given to KION, Susan Santana, the AT&T state president of California, addressed those concerns.
“No customer will be left without access to voice or 911 service," Santana said. "We’re committed to working with state leaders and community members on policies that create a thoughtful transition to bring more reliable, modern communications to all Californians.
Conley said he knows a lot of people in the area who still have a landline within their home or business.
"I don't know how you're going to do without landlines until you kind of get the service a little more covered," Conley said.
Californians For A Connected Future is an organization advocating for the bill and they said they acknowledge this is a multi-year project.
Mary Ann Leffel is the president of the Marina Chamber of Commerce and she is in full support of the bill.
"I'm sitting in the middle of Monterey and I sometimes lose service because we don't have as many cell towers as we need again, because they're still being forced to keep up some old systems," Leffel said. "The only calls I get on my landline are from solicitors."
She said she honestly believes taking out the landlines will gain everyone better service in the long run.
AT&T also said that current copper services will be maintained until new technologies are available that are equally or more reliable.
