California Public Utilities Commission Takes Official Notice of FCC Extension Order on Lifeline Voice Support

Strategic Insights -

The California Public Utilities Commission is considering a motion by The Utility Reform Network (TURN) to take official notice of a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) order extending the phase-out of Lifeline support for voice-only services until December 1, 2026. The motion comes in response to AT&T California's application to relinquish its Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) designation, citing the expected phase-out of federal Lifeline support for voice-only services.

Key Takeaways:

  • The FCC has issued three orders extending the phase-out of Lifeline support for voice-only services, with the latest order moving the effective date to December 1, 2026.
  • AT&T California based its application to relinquish its ETC designation on the assumption that federal Lifeline support for voice-only services would phase out on December 1, 2023, but the FCC found good cause to extend the phase-out multiple times.
  • The FCC has recognized a persistent minority of households still relying on qualifying Lifeline voice service for their connection needs, and extending the waiver of the voice-only services phase-out ensures that voice-only subscribers can maintain access to a Lifeline-supported service.
  • TURN has been a persistent advocate for protecting Lifeline subscribers who lose service or cannot retain an affordable plan when wireline providers do not receive federal Lifeline subsidies for voice service.
  • The 2025 FCC Extension Order is relevant to this proceeding because it continues to recognize the issues raised by TURN, including harm to Lifeline subscribers who lose service or who cannot retain an affordable plan.

Statistics:

  • December 1, 2023: original date for the phase-out of Lifeline support for voice-only services, as assumed by AT&T California.
  • December 1, 2024: new effective date for the phase-out of Lifeline support for voice-only services, as extended by the FCC on July 3, 2023.
  • December 1, 2025: further extension of the phase-out of Lifeline support for voice-only services, as ordered by the FCC on July 1, 2024.
  • December 1, 2026: latest date for the phase-out of Lifeline support for voice-only services, as ordered by the FCC on July 1, 2025.

Sources:

  • Federal Communications Commission, In the Matter of Lifeline and Link Up Reform and Modernization et al., WC Docket No. 11-42 et al., DA 25-567, Order (released July 1, 2025).
  • Utility Reform Network, Motion for Official Notice of the 2025 FCC Extension Order, July 7, 2025.
  • AT&T California, Application to Relinquish its ETC Designation, A.23-03-002 (filed March 3, 2023).
  • Turner and Center for Accessible Technology, Motion for Official Notice of the July 2023 FCC Order, July 10, 2023.