26-120 — Comment Digest

AT&T's proposal to discontinue legacy voice services and its impact on service reliability and emergency communications.

Filers split on: “The Commission should reject AT&T's applications to discontinue legacy voice services.”

• Craig Chattertin fcc 26 120support — The commenter concludes that AT&T has not met the necessary standards to justify discontinuing these essential services.p. 1
• Sumitra Joy FCCFiling06152026support — The commenter argues that AT&T's requests to discontinue legacy voice services and seek forbearance from regulations threaten the reliability of emergency communications, pushing consumers towards less reliable alternatives.p. 1
• N. Albert 26 120 and 26 121support — The commenter argues that AT&T's discontinuation of services would negatively impact 184,000 residential and 15,000 business customers in California, and insists that AT&T's justifications for discontinuing POTS are based on misleading claims that should be rejected.pp. 1, 7
• The Utility Reform Network TURN ATT 214 Applicsupport — The commenter argues that AT&T's applications to discontinue service should be rejected due to insufficient evidence that its alternative services meet adequacy requirements, and contends that AT&T's claims about the adequacy of its Phone Advanced services lack relevant evidence specific to California's conditions.pp. 4, 5
• Mark Graham Landlines filing with FCC 26 120support — The commenter argues that AT&T is misleadingly attributing the decline in landline use to customer choice while actually discontinuing installations, and claims that both AT&T and Verizon manipulate accounting rules to present their wireline services as unprofitable, thereby justifying the cessation of landline services.pp. 6, 26
• Gail McDonald Tunesupport — The commenter claims that AT&T is not fulfilling its obligations to maintain and install copper landlines, despite claims of abandonment by customers.p. 1

The reliability of VoIP and wireless services as alternatives to copper landlines, especially during emergencies.

Filers split on: “The Commission should deny AT&T's claims that VoIP and wireless services are reliable alternatives to copper landlines.”

• N. Albert 26 120 and 26 121support — The commenter contends that alternatives like wireless and VoIP are unreliable and do not meet the needs of customers, especially in emergencies.p. 4
• Sidnee Cox EMF Safety Network Standard FCCsupport — The commenter emphasizes the importance of maintaining reliable communication services for vulnerable populations and argues that regulatory processes must ensure that any service replacements meet rigorous standards for reliability and safety, particularly stressing that new services must be proven to be as reliable as existing copper landlines, especially in emergency situations.p. 6
• Heather Bryantsupport — The commenter argues that the alternatives offered by AT&T do not meet the standards of reliability and affordability that copper landlines have provided.p. 1
• EMR Syndrome Alliance Landlines CA 06 15 26 EMsupport — The commenter contends that AT&T's substitutes for copper landlines do not match the reliability and affordability of traditional copper services, and they argue that the transition away from landlines has been influenced by financial pressures, restricting customer choice in selecting the best service.pp. 2, 3
• Austin Martinetti fcc commentsupport — The commenter emphasizes that citizens have repeatedly expressed their concerns about the inadequacy of wireless and VoIP as substitutes for traditional phone service, urging the FCC to respect these concerns.p. 2
• Isis Feral Thousands of Publicsupport — Commenters express skepticism about the reliability of VoIP and wireless services, particularly during power outages or emergencies.p. 3761

The importance of copper landlines for public safety, particularly in disaster-prone areas and for vulnerable populations.

Filers split on: “The Commission should mandate the continuation of copper landline services for public safety.”

• Cindy Russell Physicians for Safe Technology Psupport — The commenter believes that landlines are essential for safety and communication, particularly during emergencies, and emphasizes their importance for emergency services, especially for vulnerable populations such as the elderly and disabled, urging the FCC to vote against the proposals.p. 1
• Ann R Thryft Ann R Thryfts Opposition To ATT Wsupport — The commenter emphasizes the necessity of copper landlines for public safety, especially in disaster-prone areas. They argue that these services are vital for communication during emergencies when other technologies fail.p. 1
• Lynn Isaeff ATT Landline lettersupport — The commenter argues that landline service is essential for emergency situations, especially in areas with unreliable cell service. They emphasize that without landlines, lives could be at risk during emergencies.p. 1
• Sidnee Cox EMF Safety Network Standard FCCsupport — The commenter argues that many individuals, especially those in rural areas or with electromagnetic sensitivity, rely on copper landlines for reliable communication, particularly during emergencies. The transition to wireless alternatives is seen as inadequate and potentially harmful.p. 9
• Nina Beety Attachment A 9 29 25support — The commenter argues that the FCC's actions could disrupt critical 911 services due to insufficient safeguards, and insists that the agency should mandate the continuation of copperline services to ensure public safety and reliable communication.pp. 3, 9
• Cheryl Mathews FCC Oppose discontinuance Landlsupport — Mathews urges the FCC to preserve copper landline service, highlighting its vital role for emergency communications, and shares a personal experience where her landline was the sole means of communication during a severe winter storm, underscoring its critical importance in emergencies.p. 1

The need for transparency and communication from AT&T regarding service changes and discontinuations.

Filers split on: “The Commission should require AT&T to provide adequate public notice about service changes.”

• Heather Bryant — The commenter believes that the current regulatory actions are necessary to ensure that consumers have options and protections in their communication services, and claims that AT&T is misleading customers about the availability of landline services while neglecting its responsibilities.p. 1
• Craig Chattertin fcc 26 120 — The commenter references a significant number of public comments submitted to the CPUC opposing AT&T's request, highlighting community concern over losing reliable phone service.p. 1
• Nina Beety Attachment A 9 29 25support — The commenter asserts that adequate public notice is crucial for informing consumers about service changes and enabling their response, criticizes the FCC for insufficient public consultation on service discontinuation, and contends that the FCC's emphasis on facilitating industry transitions detracts from its primary duty to protect public safety and welfare.pp. 10, 12, 14
• Isis Feral Thousands of Publicsupport — Commenters express frustration over the lack of transparency and communication from AT&T regarding the discontinuation of landline services.p. 3761
• Gail McDonald Tune — The commenter believes that the current regulatory actions are necessary to protect consumer options in telecommunications.p. 1
• Lynn Isaeff ATT Landline lettersupport — The commenter expresses frustration over not receiving any official notification from AT&T about the discontinuation, highlighting a lack of transparency and concern for customers.p. 1

The need for government-funded, unbiased research into the health effects of EMF exposure.

Filers split on: “The Commission should require government funding for unbiased research on EMF health effects.”

• Deborah Cooney 10 9 Ex 4 EMF Appealsupport — The commenters advocate for government funding of unbiased research on the health effects of EMF exposure, emphasize the need for industry cooperation in developing safer technologies, stress the importance of public education on EMF risks, and call for innovation in technology to minimize EMF emissions to protect public health.p. 3
• World Healing Education Now WHEN Foundation 10support — The commenters advocate for the UN to convene a multidisciplinary committee to assess EMF exposure practices and propose safer alternatives, support unbiased research into the health effects of EMF free from industry influence, and promote educational initiatives to raise awareness about EMF risks and reduction strategies.pp. 2, 3
• Mark Graham Landlines filing with FCC 26 120 — The commenter believes that the FCC's 30-year-old radiation exposure limits do not adequately protect public health and that the FCC has failed to comply with a federal court order to reassess these limits based on extensive scientific evidence.p. 2