# AT&T filed a lawsuit against the California Public Utilities Commission and the state attorney general on Wednesday May 20, 2026.

*business · news · 2026-05-23 · Artvoice*

## Key points

- AT&T filed a lawsuit and FCC petition to end its Carrier of Last Resort obligation in California.
- California is the only state of 21 where AT&T still must maintain copper landlines for all new customers.
- AT&T's copper network serves just 3 percent of its California territory but costs $1 billion annually to maintain.
- Copper thefts caused around 2,000 outages in California in 2026, and replacement parts are increasingly unavailable.
- AT&T argues ending the copper obligation could enable $19 billion fiber investment and save 300 million kWh annually.

**Companies:** AT&T
**Countries:** United States

[Read the full story on Artvoice](https://artvoice.com/2026/05/23/att-is-suing-california-to-turn-off-the-old-copper-phone-network/)

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