AT&T Seeks to Discontinue Legacy Voice Services in 17 States

Strategic Insights -

AT&T has applied to the Public Utility Commission of Texas to discontinue certain legacy voice services, including AT&T Phone Service and AT&T Phone for Business, in 17 states. The services will be discontinued in specific wire centers where AT&T can only provide the services over copper, and existing customers will have alternatives such as AT&T's next-generation solutions and competitive voice offerings from other providers. The discontinuation is expected to benefit the public and align with the goals of advancing toward next-generation technologies.

Key Takeaways:

  • AT&T plans to discontinue AT&T Phone Service and AT&T Phone for Business in 17 states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin.
  • The services will be discontinued in specific wire centers where AT&T can only provide the services over copper, and existing customers will have alternatives such as AT&T's next-generation solutions and competitive voice offerings from other providers.
  • The discontinuation is expected to benefit the public and align with the goals of advancing toward next-generation technologies.
  • AT&T has previously grandfathered the affected services in the affected service area, and the demand for the services is very low.
  • Existing customers in the affected service area have numerous options to choose from in lieu of the affected services, including AT&T's mobile wireless service and AP-A.
  • Most consumers in the affected service area have elected to receive voice services from the many cost-effective voice options available to them.

Statistics:

  • 17 states where AT&T plans to discontinue the affected services: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin.
  • 17,000(U.S.) or fewer of AT&T's customers can be impacted by service discontinuance, as determined by AT&T's Business Voice-Select-online tool.
  • June 30, 2026, pending regulatory approval, is the expected date for discontinuance of the affected services.
  • 17 states have advanced technologies available for voice services, including fiber, fixed wireless, mobile wireless, and satellite.

Sources:

  • SECTION 63.71 APPLICATION OF AT&T AT&Tl, WC Dkt No. 23-399 (filed Nov. 16, 2023); Id, WC Dkt No. 24-65 (filed Feb. 22, 2024); Id, WC Dkt No. 25-47 (filed Jan. 31, 2025).
  • News Release, Office of Chairman Brendan Carr, FCC Cutting Red Tape to Unleash New Infrastructure Investments: Streamlining Process to Retire Old Copper Lines, Freeing Up Dollars for New Networks (Mar. 20, 2025), https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-410304A1.pdf.
  • AT&T Services, Inc. files this application on behalf of its affiliates set out in the caption.