Phone Companies Seek to End Landlines, Worrying Consumer Groups About Impacts to Vulnerable Users
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Phone companies like AT&T are asking utilities to relieve them of the obligation to provide copper-wire landline phone service, citing declining demand.
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Consumer advocates argue eliminating affordable landlines would negatively impact seniors, rural residents, and vulnerable groups without good alternatives.
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Landlines provide reliable service during emergencies and disasters when cell service or electricity fails; alternatives like VoIP and cell phones depend on Internet and power.
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Alternatives often cost much more than basic affordable phone service; eliminating discounts for low-income consumers would compound issues.
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Watchdogs argue that without cost-effective, reliable replacements, ending the landline requirement breaks decades-old utility agreements and abandons millions of customers.