California says AT&T lied to FCC in attempt to shut off old phone network

California state regulators have accused AT&T of providing false information to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding its plans to discontinue its old copper phone network without ensuring a suitable replacement. In a filing dated June 15, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) stated that AT&T has long claimed that the state seeks to block or impede wireline carriers from shutting down copper facilities while investing in fiber infrastructure. The state firmly asserts that this assertion is untrue. Last month, AT&T initiated legal action against California after the state denied its request to cease service to all potential customers within its wireline network area. Additionally, AT&T has sought the FCC’s intervention to rule that California cannot enforce its regulations, which would allow the company to stop serving nearly 199,000 customers. While California officials maintain that AT&T is permitted to upgrade its outdated copper lines to modern technology like fiber, AT&T has consistently argued that state regulations are compelling it to keep the copper infrastructure in place. The company described the copper lines as "aging, fragile, and expensive," claiming they remain due to outdated regulations from previous administrations. In another filing, AT&T asserted that California mandates the continuation of Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) across its territory. However, California officials countered that the CPUC has not established rules preventing telecom companies from replacing copper lines with fiber. A decision made in 2008 indicated that imposing such rules would hinder the development of fiber systems in California, contradicting the state’s legislative intent to provide affordable and high-quality communication services to all residents.