AT&T filed suit against California and petitioned the FCC to block state requirements for maintaining its aging copper telephone network. The company seeks to accelerate the shutdown of infrastructure it says is outdated and costly.
The lawsuit targets California regulations that require AT&T to keep its legacy copper network operational. The carrier argues the decades-old infrastructure is expensive to maintain and should be replaced with modern fiber and wireless alternatives.
California's requirements stem from concerns about service reliability, particularly for customers unable or unwilling to switch providers. State regulators worry that shutting down the copper network could leave some users without backup connectivity options.
AT&T contends it has invested heavily in fiber-optic and 5G infrastructure, making the copper network redundant. The company claims maintenance costs drain resources better spent on newer technology.
The FCC has previously signaled openness to carriers retiring copper networks, but California's rules represent a state-level obstacle. The case highlights broader tension between carriers seeking to modernize infrastructure and regulators prioritizing service continuity for all customers.
A ruling could set precedent for other states considering similar network transition policies.
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