Frequently Asked Questions

Californians for a Connected Future (CCF) is a broad, diverse coalition of Tribal leaders, social justice advocates, Veterans, ethnic business and community organizations supporting legislation that will modernize state law to incentivize investments in more innovative, reliable, fast and affordable communications for all.

CCF believes that all Californians deserve reliable, fast and affordable communications options – no matter who you are, where you live, or why you need to be connected. But outdated state laws result in massive investments in aging copper landline technology that consumers are increasingly abandoning because it does not meet their needs.

Our coalition supports Assembly Bill 470 and the goal of encouraging investments in advanced communications options for all, while ensuring no Californian or community is left behind. CCF is also committed to a collaborative, transparent process that prioritizes equity and consumer needs. A phased, multi-year transition will ensure a smooth shift to modern networks, giving Californians the time and support they need.

CCF is committed to the following principles as we promote the future of connectivity: 

• No Californian will be left without reliable phone service in their homes – including 9-1-1 services.
• A phased, multi-year approach is best for customers and best for California.
• Any transition will be a collaborative and transparent process. 

Only 5% of households within the service area of the state’s largest landline provider still subscribe to copper-based home phone service – a number that continues to decline. Consumers are overwhelmingly choosing to use wireless or internet-based communications services because they are more reliable and versatile. We should modernize state law to support more investment in newer, more reliable technologies – instead of maintaining an outdated copper network. That said, any transition must be conducted gradually, over time, and ensure that no community is left without reliable and affordable home phone service.

No. This transition will occur over years, not months. Current services will be maintained until new technologies are available that are equally or more reliable and affordable. Some geographic areas will transition faster while other communities will take longer based on unique characteristics.  

Under this approach, no Californian will be left without reliable phone service in their homes. CCF supports a phased approach:

• Areas where there are no homes, no businesses and no customers should transition first.
• Next, establish an orderly transition in areas well-served by other options for home phone service – including home phone options that run over high-speed internet wires (fiber or cable) or that run over reliable wireless signals.
• The final phase would care for less well-served areas. This transition would consider the circumstances of customers living in areas that are not currently well-served with modern communications services.

First responders rely on the internet and mobile broadband networks to send real-time messages, videos, and location data, improving decision-making and cutting response times. Critical emergency services, like text-to-911, aren’t supported by outdated copper networks. And during evacuations, mobile devices keep residents connected to emergency personnel, loved ones, and life-saving updates. And during these scenarios, communications providers frequently deploy supporting connectivity assets, essentially smaller mobile cell towers, to help maintain or expand services, meanwhile copper landlines become useless once people leave their homes. Modernizing the network in California will help ensure no one is left behind.

Maintaining the state’s outdated copper network results in stranded resources that are better prioritized for investments in modern communications technologies. Customers overwhelmingly prefer innovative fiber, wireless and satellite technologies for their reliability and affordability. AB 470 will prepare California for the future.

No. According to the state’s largest copper landline provider, traditional copper home phone service costs an average of more than $80 per month, despite being outdated and less reliable. In contrast, modern internet and wireless phone services range from $30 to $45 per month, offering greater affordability and additional features like texting, video calls, and high-speed internet access. The phased, multi-year transition will ensure technology options are equally or more affordable.

Many older adults already have updated home phone technologies that look and operate just like traditional copper landlines, meaning they will not have to learn how to use a new device. Older adults are adopting new technologies at very fast rates and are among some of the key groups with the most to gain from investment in newer, more reliable technologies. High-speed fiber, cable and wireless help increase access to telehealth visits with their doctors, video conferences with loved ones, and other services that traditional landlines do not provide.

No Californian will be left without reliable phone service in their homes – including the ability to access 9-1-1. Current copper legacy voice services will be maintained until new technologies are available that are proven to be equally or more reliable and affordable. By modernizing state law, we can incentivize investments in high-speed internet and wireless services in rural and other communities and help close the digital divide.

No. The existing copper network technology is 150-years-old, and many manufacturers no longer provide parts to maintain the system and repair it when it breaks. Copper is also vulnerable to moisture, corrosion and temperature fluctuations, which can lead to frequent service disruptions.

The copper landline network is also a major target for theft, wreaking havoc in neighborhoods and causing extended outages that take longer to repair. In Vallejo, for example, recent copper theft activity led to schools being shut down and customers being without service for 4 days. As California modernizes its telecommunications laws, transitioning from aging copper to more modern technologies will ensure stronger, more resilient connectivity for all communities.

Old copper networks are energy hogs, while cable and fiber technologies use up to 70% less power. Once installed, fiber optic networks are more energy-efficient, require less space, and require less maintenance than copper systems. AB 470 will accelerate investments toward newer technologies, helping reduce energy waste, cut down on pollution and lower emissions.

Yes. Right now, too many Californians are being left behind without access to reliable high-speed internet and phone services. AB 470 will help bridge the digital divide by encouraging investment in modern, high-speed fiber networks, particularly in underserved and rural communities. Many low-income and remote areas still rely on outdated infrastructure that cannot support the demands of today’s digital world.