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County officials and residents warn Assembly bill to roll back landline obligations could leave rural areas vulnerable
Summary
A county and community discussion flagged California Assembly Bill 470 and related proceedings at the California Public Utilities Commission as a threat to traditional landline service in remote communities, which residents rely on during power outages and for emergency calls.
County leaders, a local resident and a state association official discussed proposed changes to landline regulation and cautioned that removing obligations for copper telephone service could leave remote residents with no reliable way to summon emergency help during outages.
Jeff Griffiths, president of the California State Association of Counties and a board member (self‑identified), said the most immediate legislative threat is Assembly Bill 470, which would reduce the regulated obligations that require incumbent carriers to maintain plain old telephone service (POTS). "The biggest threat is, assembly bill 470," Griffiths said, describing the bill and parallel regulatory proceedings at the California Public Utilities Commission.
Nut graf: County and community speakers urged residents to contact state elected officials and regulators because remote areas often cannot rely on wireless or Internet services during power outages; they argued POTS remains essential for some households and first responders.
Griffiths said the legislation includes exceptions that require alternatives only where multiple alternatives — including a land‑based wire alternative — exist, and that many rural areas would not meet those conditions. He and other speakers described examples of residents who still rely on a wall‑plugged phone during multi‑day power outages and noted that wireless backups fail when the house has no power or the customer lacks compatible equipment.
A resident and other meeting participants asked county officials and staff to press state legislators and the CPUC to ensure continued reliable emergency communications for remote communities. County staff urged residents to contact their representatives and said the county is tracking the issue.
Ending: Speakers encouraged residents who rely on landlines or have limited wireless coverage to notify county staff and state representatives and to document outages or service gaps to inform advocacy at the state and commission level.
