Thank you very much to Californians for Safe Technology for the alert below. There is more information at SaveLandlines.org also.
CALL TO ACTION- PLEASE FORWARD WIDELY AND TAKE ACTION TODAY
AT&T has applied with the California PUC to discontinue its Carrier of Last Resort (COLR) obligations for copper wire landlines. This decision would have devastating effects on consumer choice and public safety by phasing out essential landline services for all Californians – and would be particularly devastating to the elderly and those in rural communities.
I’m hoping that you can help stop this by doing one or more simple actions.
Your help in this will protect essential copper landlines from being decommissioned across California.What can you do? Attend, Call/Email or Submit on or before March 19, 2024
1. Attend a hearing either in person or virtual (See Below)
In person:
| February 22, 2024, 2 p.m. and6 p.m. | In-person only | Mendocino County Board of Supervisors 501 Low Gap Road, Room 1070, Ukiah, CA 95482 |
| March 14, 2024, 2 p.m. and6 p.m. | In-person only | Indio City Hall Council Chambers 100 Civic Center Mall, Indio, CA 92201 |
Virtual
| March 19, 2024; 2 p.m. & 6 p.m. | Virtual only | Remote access via webcast or phone. Live video broadcast with English or Spanish captions via webcast: www.adminmonitor.com/ca/cpucPhone: 1-800-857-1917, passcode: 6032788# |
https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/proceedings-and-rulemaking/cpuc-public-participation-hearings
2. Call and/or Email – Calling is preferred, but both would be better. Sending an email only is second best – See talking points below. This can be done anytime before March 19th.
Alice Reynolds Office of the President / Executive Director Rachel Peterson (916) 894-5641 [email protected]
John Reynolds Commissioner
Maria Sotero Policy Advisor and Interim Chief of Staff
(415) 703-2494 [email protected]
Pilar Manriquez Deputy Chief of Staff
(916) 894-5689 [email protected]
Sasha Goldberg – Advisor
(415) 703-5340 [email protected]
Cait Pollock – Advisor
(415) 703-1535 [email protected]
Jake McDermott – Advisor
(415) 703-1860[email protected]
Carolyn Chen – Advisor
(415) 703-1980 [email protected]
3. Add a Public Comment
https://apps.cpuc.ca.gov/apex/f?p=401:65:0::NO:RP,57,RIR:P5_PROCEEDING_SELECT:A2303002
Talking Points:
Why do we need copper landlines?
- The elderly population is more dependent on copper landlines and more likely to experience technology aversion and often do not have the ability or desire to use other technology.
- Traditional copper landline service is tied to an address making it the most dependable emergency communications tool currently available and is vital to helping emergency services identify your exact location.
- Copper landlines are more reliable than wireless or VoIP services in urban, suburban, and rural areas because the copper-based systems can still work even when the power is out.
- Many rural areas depend on their copper landlines and lack other options.
- Some people and businesses prefer the quality of wired connections.
- Some people have debilitating symptoms when in close proximity to wireless connections.
https://stopsmartmeters.org/2024/02/21/now-is-the-time-to-speak-up-for-landline-telephones-dont-let-att-cut-our-lifelines/
