Pasadena Examined AT&T Landline Retirement Plans
The city’s policy committee ordered a review of emergency service reliability as AT&T moves to retire copper networks.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Telecommunications
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The Pasadena Legislative Policy Committee instructed city staff to investigate the implications of AT&T's plans to discontinue copper-based residential phone services. The directive follows concerns that alternative communication technologies must be verified for reliability during power outages and emergencies.
Why it matters
Former Mayor Bill Paparian initiated the review, citing the Eaton Fire as evidence that replacement phone services require independent validation to ensure public safety. Local officials are concerned that the shift away from legacy copper lines could leave residents vulnerable during critical evacuation events.
AT&T reports that maintaining its aging copper network costs $1 billion annually. The company intends to discontinue copper-based services for 184,000 customers in 360 California wire centers on or after June 1, 2027.
The players
Bill Paparian
He is a former Mayor of Pasadena who advocated for the investigation into the reliability of alternative phone services during emergencies.
AT&T
The telecommunications company is seeking to retire its copper-based landline network to reduce annual maintenance costs.
Linda Lopez
She is a U.S. District Judge who recently denied the telecommunications provider's request to suspend existing state landline regulations.
The details
City staff will review 2024 records and consult with the local police and fire departments to assess the safety risks of the transition. While AT&T is currently challenging state-level landline requirements through federal lawsuits and FCC filings, it maintains that its copper infrastructure is no longer viable.
Timeline
June 2024: The CPUC dismissed an AT&T application to end landline service.
January 7, 2025: The Eaton Fire occurred, highlighting emergency communication needs.
June 29, 2026: The FCC cleared an AT&T application to discontinue copper services.
July 16, 2026: A federal judge denied an AT&T request to suspend state landline rules.
October 5, 2026: The committee instructed city staff to study landline retirement.
The Tech Race
The transition away from legacy copper infrastructure reflects a broader industry movement toward modern fiber and wireless telecommunications. This shift mirrors the Federal Communications Commission's authority to regulate copper service retirement, with the Pasadena committee inquiry marking a local effort to scrutinize the practical implementation of these federal approvals.
Residents may see changes in how they access landline services if their area is included in future decommissioning plans. The city's review aims to ensure that any replacement technology provided by carriers meets the reliability standards required for emergency communications.
The takeaway
The move to phase out legacy copper lines requires balancing company maintenance costs with the critical need for reliable emergency connectivity. Residents should verify that their current service providers have documented backups for power outages to ensure they remain connected during evacuations.
What happens next
AT&T has scheduled the discontinuation of copper-based residential phone services in 360 California wire centers on or after June 1, 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about local infrastructure oversight at Telecommunications.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Pasadena Now.
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Should phone companies prove their services work during emergencies before retiring old landline networks?
