A federal judge denies AT&T’s request to temporarily block California requirements that compel the company to offer basic phone service to new customers in its wireline territory. AT&T seeks permission to retire its copper-based network and stop providing service to nearly 200,000 California customers in 2027. California argues that AT&T can continue meeting its obligations using modern technologies such as fiber without abandoning its Carrier of Last Resort responsibilities.
AT&T asked the court for a preliminary injunction, contending that the state rules are preempted by an FCC order. The request was heard in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California. According to the court docket, U.S. District Judge Linda Lopez denied the motion for a preliminary injunction, meaning AT&T does not obtain the stop-order it sought while the dispute proceeds.
AT&T can appeal the ruling to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. It can also pursue further legal challenges if it later loses the underlying case. For now, the denial leaves AT&T subject to California’s requirements to keep offering basic phone service to potential customers as the litigation continues.
