AT&T loses key ruling in attempt to escape Carrier-of-Last-Resort obligation

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AT&T's application to end its landline phone obligations in California is likely to be rejected by state officials following protest from residents worried about losing access to phone lines.

An administrative law judge at the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) recommended rejection of the application in a proposed decision released Friday. The CPUC is set to vote on finalizing the proposed decision at its June 20 meeting.

Administrative Law Judge Thomas Glegola found that AT&T's application to end its Carrier of Last Resort (COLR) obligation should be dismissed with prejudice. State rules require a replacement COLR in order to relieve AT&T of its duties, but there is no other COLR in AT&T's wireline territory "and no potential COLR volunteered to replace AT&T," he wrote.