# AT&T Loses Court Bid to End Basic Phone Service in California Federal judge denies telecom giant's request to suspend landline service obligations. - **Source:** [Slashdot](https://brifing.si/source/0f34d58e-1ccd-45a6-ab82-2de4065dc7ad) - **Published:** 2026-07-21 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/8ba5809f-b959-4b5f-b1cd-7b1c2ff98e9e ## Court Rejects AT&T's Emergency Request Judge Linda Lopez denied AT&T's motion to temporarily block California's basic phone service rules. The telecom seeks to retire its copper network by 2027, but state regulators insist modern alternatives like fiber can maintain essential services for 200,000 customers. ## Carrier of Last Resort Mandate California regulators emphasize AT&T's obligation as a 'Carrier of Last Resort' to provide minimum phone service. The state argues the company should upgrade to fiber infrastructure rather than completely abandoning legacy systems. ## Clash with FCC Regulations AT&T claimed state rules conflict with federal FCC orders, but the court found insufficient evidence to override California's authority. The ruling affirms states' rights to enforce consumer protections in telecom services. ## Consumer Safeguards Remain AT&T must continue offering landline services to new customers during litigation. The decision prioritizes communication access for rural and low-income populations during infrastructure transitions. ## Infrastructure Modernization Dilemma While AT&T cites unsustainable copper network costs, regulators expect increased fiber investments. This standoff reflects broader challenges in America's telecom infrastructure overhaul. ## Precedent for Telecom Industry The ruling may influence other carriers' deregulation attempts. The state-federal jurisdiction conflict sets a crucial legal benchmark for future communication infrastructure policies. ## Sources covering this story - https://yro.slashdot.org/story/26/07/21/0617230/att-loses-key-ruling-in-bid-to-stop-offering-basic-phone-service-in-california?utm_source=rss1.0mainlinkanon&utm_medium=feed — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._