NEW YORK, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- U.S. telecommunication giant AT&T plans to eliminate its traditional landline phone service across nearly all U.S. states in its service area by 2029, according to a new official announcement.
The wireless carrier has said its copper wire infrastructure is antiquated, maintaining it is costly and better service is available through fiber and wireless broadband networks.
In a statement issued earlier this week, AT&T said that while building the network of the future, the company "is actively working to exit its legacy copper network operations across the large majority of its wireline footprint by the end of 2029."
"But consumer advocates nationwide have objected to the removal of traditional phone service," report USA Today on Wednesday about the move. "They say access to basic landlines is important for the country's most vulnerable people, including senior citizens who don't want to use cell phones, consumers who can't afford cell service and those in rural areas who may not have good access to cell or broadband internet."
Alternatives to landlines, such as cellphones or Voice Over Internet Protocol (voIP) phones, cost more than the traditional basic phone service and require good cell or internet service and electricity, advocates have said.
The wireless carrier currently provides traditional landline service in 21 states, excluding some states in the northeast and northwest. The decision to eliminate landline service would affect all but one state, California. Regulators there earlier this year rejected a proposal from AT&T to be relieved of its "Carrier of Last Resort Obligation," which requires them to maintain their copper-based network.
