For Immediate Release
March 20, 2025
Contact: Molly Weedn
molly@weednpa.com

AB 470 is Being Developed as Part of a Broad Stakeholder Process to Ensure No Communities are Left Behind as California Transitions to the Communications Network of the Future

SACRAMENTO, CA – Californians for a Connected Future (CCF) announced that more than fifty groups joined their growing, broad and diverse coalition dedicated to innovative, reliable, fast and affordable communications for all. The coalition is urging lawmakers to support Assembly Bill 470 (McKinnor) – which will prioritize investments in advanced communications options while ensuring no Californian or community is left behind.  

“Latino families, students and business owners depend on fast, reliable, and affordable connectivity options,” said Jacob Sandoval, California League of United Latin American Citizens (CA LULAC). “AB 470 will help modernize California’s communications network, ensuring our communities have the connectivity they need to thrive in today’s digital economy.”   

In California today, 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. But outdated state laws result in massive investments in aging copper landline technology that consumers are increasingly abandoning because it does not meet their needs. These laws hinder investments in more modern communications systems that consumers are demanding because they provide more reliable and innovative options. 

“California’s aging copper network technology is nearly 150 years old, many manufacturers no longer provide copper parts, and it can take weeks to restore service when the system goes down,” said Julian Cañete, President and CEO of the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce. “Modern, high-speed communications networks are much more reliable, resilient, faster and easier to restore, benefitting both consumers and businesses. AB 470 will help to ensure modern technologies are available across California.”  

“Reliable, affordable and modern communication networks are critical to connecting Black communities to opportunities,” said Rick Callender, President of the California/Hawaii NAACP State Conference. “AB 470 is a crucial step toward ensuring access to the digital tools that power education, health care and economic opportunity for all Californians.” 

Critical emergency services, like texting 9-1-1, aren’t supported by outdated copper networks that have been around for more than a century. Updating the system to use modern technologies will help to keep Californians safe, especially during times of crisis.  

CCF is committed to the following principles in promoting 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. 

The full coalition list can be found here.

About Californians for a Connected Future  

Californians for a Connected Future (CCF) is a broad and diverse group of organizations dedicated to innovative, reliable, fast and affordable communications for all. CCF supports Assembly Bill 470 – the Future of Connectivity Act – which is being developed as part of a comprehensive stakeholder process to prioritize investments in advanced communications options for all, while ensuring no Californian or community is left behind. CCF is a project of USTelecom – The Broadband Association. For more information, visit: www.caconnectedfuture.org