Dear Friends,
My office has received calls from community members in the district, particularly from our senior residents, who felt dismayed by the news that AT&T has appealed to end their status as a Carrier of Last Resort for landline telecommunication service in California. This is concerning, and as the California Public Utilities Commission reviews their application, I want to provide a factual basis to dispel worries over an immediate impact on our district’s landline service, and to inform the advocacy efforts of many in our community.
Current regulations require AT&T to serve as a Carrier of Last Resort (COLR), providing landline telephone services to any requesting customer in regions of California where AT&T serves as the default provider, including here in Assembly District 18. In an application filed in December 2023, AT&T petitioned the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to void the company’s legal obligation to maintain landline coverage, without designating a new COLR to take its place.
Though significant, this action does not represent an immediate threat to your landline service. The CPUC is currently holding a series of public forums to hear from Californians, with evidentiary hearings beginning in April, and a decision expected to occur in September.
If you believe you may be impacted by these potential changes, I encourage you to participate in the CPUC’s public forum on March 19.
If you believe you may be impacted by these potential changes:
- Submit a public comment to the CPUC
- Participate in the CPUC Online Public Forum
- Read the CPUC Fact Sheet
- Contact the CPUC directly
The public’s participation is vital to this process and I look forward to hearing from constituents from Assembly District 18.
Yours in Service,
Mia Bonta
Assemblymember, 18th District
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Section 1: CPUC Fact Sheet and Public Forum:
Section 1A: CPUC Fact Sheet
In an application filed in December 2023, AT&T petitioned the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to void the company’s legal obligation to maintain landline coverage in California, without designating a new COLR to take its place.
A COLR is a telecommunications service provider that stands ready to provide basic telephone service, commonly landline telephone service, to any customer requesting such service within a specified area. For more information regarding AT&T’s application and the CPUC’s process, visit the California Public Utilities Commission.
To see if you will be affected by this potential change, search your address in AT&T California.
Section 1B: CPUC Public Forum
The CPUC will hold two online public hearings to give the public a chance to learn about and express their opinions on AT&T’s filing directly before the CPUC.
The public forums will begin with a brief overview of AT&T’s proposals, then parties to the proceeding may provide brief overviews, and then public comments will be heard. At least one representative from AT&T will be available to answer questions about individual customer bills or services.
When: March 19, 2024 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Where: A live video broadcast with English or Spanish captions via webcast: www.adminmonitor.com/ca/cpuc
How to Make Public Comment: During the broadcast, call 1-800-857-1917, enter English passcode 6032788#, prompted press *1 when prompted, unmute your phone and record your name.
More specifics on how to participate in public comment are available here.
Section 2: Reporting State Highway Issues to Caltrans
Section 2A: Reporting an Issue to Caltrans
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) owns or controls 350,000 acres of Right of Way and maintains 15,133 centerline miles of highway and 13,063 state highway bridges. Caltrans also inspects over 12,200 local bridges. This includes many stretches of road in the 18th Assembly District immediately bordering California highways.
If you find an issue on Caltrans property, including potholes, graffiti, encampments, litter, or other non-emergency impediments, you can report them to the Division of Maintenance.
Report highway emergencies to 911 or the California Highway Patrol immediately.