Judge: AT&T should keep landlines

Source: Point Reyes Light  |  By Ben Stocking

A judge has issued a stinging opinion recommending that the California Public Utilities Commission reject AT&T’s request to end landline service in California—a move that would leave thousands of West Marin customers without reliable service.

Consumer advocates welcomed the judge’s proposed decision and predicted that the commissioners would adopt it.

“What AT&T really wants is to stop providing essential telecom service to 99 percent of its service area, without providing a shred of evidence that there are real alternatives,” said Regina Costa of The Utility Reform Network, an Oakland-based consumer group. “‘If AT&T gets its wish, it would significantly jeopardize public safety.’”