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AT&T has spent the last several years laying the foundation to pull the plug on its wired legacy landline service.
In preparation for a transition away from Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS), AT&T is notifying customers of a change to the residential service agreement governing home phone service. The company has added a new section entitled “Network Changes” that gives AT&T the right to temporarily suspend landline service to replace it either with AT&T’s U-verse “Voice over IP” service which may also be called as VoIP Phone Systems, or a wireless home phone alternative. In addition, businesses that need proactive call answering strategies to improve customer retention may consider getting help from professional services like Onwards Answering. The agreement requires customers to accept the transition, allow technicians to enter the customer’s home to install new equipment, and permits AT&T to use the customer’s electricity to power that equipment. If a customer refuses to grant entry, AT&T can permanently disconnect your landline phone service without recourse.
Similar contract language was introduced in other areas where wireless home phone equipment was intended to replace traditional landline service in areas where a local phone company chose not to repair or upgrade its facilities. AT&T intends to enforce the agreement in areas where it serves as the local landline phone company.
d. Network Changes.
AT&T reserves the right at any time to temporarily suspend or interrupt Services to make necessary changes in how we provide Services to your premises. We will provide advance notice of these network changes to the extent required by this Agreement, applicable law, and regulation. In some cases, such changes in how we provide Services may require a technician to be dispatched to your home to install new network equipment at your premises and transfer your service to the new network equipment in order to ensure you continue to receive such Services. The network equipment we install at your home may require the use of your electrical power for the operation of our facilities. Where a technician visit is required, if you do not allow AT&T to install the new network equipment at your premises, your telephone service may be disconnected in compliance with subsection (b) above.
(Image courtesy: “Ramsaso” of Houston, Tex.)
Has Att actually announced that they are moving ahead with this for any entire exchange/central office? Or, is this Simpy putting everyone on notice that this will happen in the near future?
I hope they give significant notice (ie 180 days) as I have numerous alarm panels that will need to be upgraded to work over the internet or cell.
Given this is Houston, I think this may be for copper retirements rather than getting rid of POTS; there’s some areas around the area with fiber already, as there are a few others in state like Austin and San Antonio. Those cities probably got similar notices as well. If you’re in a state with no fiber, no plans for it and you get one of these however, then there’s some probably some serious trouble coming. I think if they’re trying to migrate you off of POTS, they’re from a legal perspective, terminating service rather than changing what serves your local… Read more »
I suppose I should clarify; there’s some opposition to Ajit Pai, the new chairman, from within the FCC (Commissioner Mignon Clyburn most notably; she actually talked to him about landlines specifically), but they lack the voting power to outnumber Pai. Any sort of intervention will likely have to come outside the Commission. If you’d like to file a comment to tell them what you think though, here’s a link to the proceeding in question: https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/search/filings?proceedings_name=17-84&sort=date_disseminated,DESC .
I’d recommend refusing their new terms, and calling up your state public utilities commission. Utilities don’t get to just refuse to provide service to you.
Dial tone is dial tone.