“What you always do before you make a decision is consult. The best public policy is made when you are listening to people who are going to be impacted. Then, once a policy is determined, you call on them to help you sell it.”
— Elizabeth Dole

"Phone service isn’t a luxury. It’s a basic need for calling 911, keeping in touch with family, and staying connected during emergencies.

AB 470 would let AT&T walk away from its responsibility to provide phone service to people in its territory, just by sending a notice to state regulators. No public hearings or requirements that another company provide landline service. 

Right now, AT&T is legally required to serve everyone in its area. That means if you live in a remote or rural community or you’re an older adult who relies on a landline, you can still count on having a working phone."

 

-Constance Slider Pierre, Organizing Director, The Utility Reform Network (TURN)

Picking Winners, Not Communities:
The Equity Cost of AB 470’s COLR Reform

Date of Event: Tuesday, September 2nd 2025

Time of Event: 9:30 AM — 10:00 AM PST

Place of Event: Webinar

Key Speakers

Athena Sanchez, Fellow, Assemblymember Mike Fong (CA-D49)
Irineo “Uie” Duran, Research Officer, Public Policy Exchange
Alejandra Vargo, Southern California Organizer, The Utility Reform Network (TURN)

Overview

 

Access to reliable telecommunications services remains a foundational element of public safety, economic participation, and equitable infrastructure development. In California, Assembly Bill 470 (AB 470) proposes significant changes to the state’s long-standing Carrier-of-Last-Resort (COLR) framework, which currently mandates that designated providers offer basic phone service to all areas, regardless of profitability. Under the new legislation, companies may apply to be relieved of this obligation in locations deemed “well-served” — areas with at least three providers, including one wireline and one affordable service option. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will be responsible for producing a comprehensive statewide map of such areas by the end of 2026.

Proponents of AB 470 argue that the bill enables more efficient resource allocation by focusing investment in areas where service gaps still exist, while also accelerating the transition from legacy copper-based infrastructure to modern fiber-optic networks. The legislation includes provisions to protect access to emergency services, maintain support for 911, and fund communication upgrades for public safety agencies.

However, the bill has raised serious concerns among a diverse group of stakeholders including The Utility Reform Network (TURN), AARP, emergency service operators, rural leaders, and over 40 digital equity organisations. Critics point to the lack of guaranteed replacement for services being withdrawn, particularly in regions where fiber infrastructure is not yet deployed. Approximately 10 million Californians continue to rely on landlines, many in rural, senior, or low-income communities where mobile and broadband coverage remains inconsistent or unaffordable. The bill, as written, would also limit the CPUC’s future authority to reassign COLR obligations, creating long-term regulatory constraints that may disproportionately affect vulnerable populations.

This symposium will bring together key stakeholders from state government, industry, regulatory bodies, and civil society to evaluate the broader implications of AB 470. Discussions will examine the policy's intended goals and potential unintended consequences, with a focus on balancing network modernization with inclusive access. Attendees will explore governance challenges, legal considerations, and community-level risks, while assessing policy tools to ensure continued service for at-risk populations.

In an era of rapid technological transition, this event provides a timely opportunity to consider how telecom reform can proceed in a way that strengthens — rather than fragments — equitable access to essential communication services across California.

 

Program

  • Explore the shifting landscape of telecom regulation in California, including AB 470’s proposed changes to Carrier-of-Last-Resort (COLR) obligations and the upcoming CPUC “well-served” area map
  • Unpack community-level risks and equity gaps, highlighting how COLR relief could affect low-income, rural, and elderly populations that still depend on landlines and copper infrastructure
  • Detail regulatory frameworks and oversight models, with focus on how CPUC's evolving role and approval process may limit future intervention in underserved areas
  • Assess real-world public safety implications, such as the loss of reliable 911 location services and copper-based resilience during power outages
  • Present viable policy alternatives, including conditional COLR withdrawal tied to verified, fiber-based service availability and affordability benchmarks
  • Provide actionable strategies for advocates and local governments, empowering them to engage in CPUC proceedings, shape service maps, and protect vulnerable constituents
  • Highlight the importance of inclusive modernization, drawing from community-driven models that balance infrastructure upgrades with universal access
  • Address persistent digital inequality and infrastructure gaps, examining how AB 470 could contribute to or mitigate telecom redlining and disparities in emergency preparedness
  • Equip stakeholders with tools, language, and legislative pathways to influence implementation, amend oversight rules, and ensure public input remains central to service access decisions
  • Underscore the need for localised, accountable solutions, ensuring that modernization does not come at the cost of disconnection or deregulation

 

Who Should Attend?

 
  • Public interest and consumer organizations (e.g. TURN, AARP, digital equity coalitions)
  • California Public Utilities Commission representatives
  • Telecommunications providers and infrastructure policy analysts
  • Emergency response professionals (911 operators, public safety officials)
  • Rural, low-income, and senior community leaders
  • Academics and researchers in telecom, digital inclusion, and public policy
  • Local and city government representatives
  • School districts and small business associations reliant on landline infrastructure

Forthcoming Events

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Picking Winners, Not Communities:
The Equity Cost of AB 470’s COLR Reform

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