AT&T Sues California Over Copper Landline Mandate

The company also asked the FCC for permission to discontinue traditional phone service.

AT&T Sues California Over Copper Landline Mandate
Photo of an AT&T retail location in Willow Grove, Pa., by Matt Rourke/AP.

May 21, 2026 – A federal lawsuit filed Wednesday seeks to end a state requirement forcing a major carrier to offer traditional copper-wire telephone service to new customers statewide.

AT&T filed the suit in federal court in Southern California against the California Public Utilities Commission and California Attorney General Rob Bonta.

The company argues it spends roughly $1 billion annually maintaining a copper network that now serves only 3 percent of households in its California service territory.

Popular Tags