The decision stems from the company’s assessment that copper lines, the backbone of traditional at&t landline service, are no longer meeting contemporary customer demands. According to an AT&T spokesperson, the copper infrastructure is facing increasing reliability issues, exacerbated by weather events and copper theft. The company stated, “We are seeing declining reliability with storms and increased copper theft. Copper simply does not do well with water and flooding,” highlighting the vulnerabilities of the aging technology. Furthermore, AT&T points out the energy inefficiency of the copper network, describing it as an “energy hog” that requires constant power to every line and component.
While AT&T emphasizes that only a small fraction, around 5 percent, of their residential customers still utilize copper technology for their at&t landline service, the transition raises concerns for specific demographics. In Wisconsin, statistics from 2022 indicate that approximately 15 percent of households still maintained a landline. Notably, around 5.5 percent of adults in the state primarily used their landline, and 3 percent were entirely dependent on at&t landline service. These figures, sourced from the National Center for Health Statistics, underscore that while the majority have embraced wireless, a significant minority still relies on traditional landlines.
The trend towards wireless is undeniable. In 2022, a substantial 83.7 percent of Wisconsin households used only wireless telephones, a dramatic increase over the past decades. This shift is attributed to advancements in cell phone technology, making wireless a more appealing and versatile option for many. For context, federal data reveals that in the latter half of 2006, only about 12.8 percent of American households were exclusively wireless.
Barry Orton, a retired telecommunications professor from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, provides historical perspective on this evolution. “I’ve watched the markets grow from just plain phone service to hybrid computers that are in our phones, so-called smartphones through which life is now lived,” he commented. He further added, “Old fashioned copper wire-based phones, which we all used to have in the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s, ’80s and ’90s are now a thing of the past,” acknowledging the obsolescence of copper-based at&t landline service in the face of technological progress.
From a business standpoint, Orton agrees with AT&T’s strategic move away from copper landlines. He explains that traditional at&t landline service generally yields lower revenues compared to internet or cell phone services, making the copper infrastructure less economically viable. He refers to traditional landline service as a “legacy service” from a bygone era “when all of us had phones but nothing else,” anticipating that other providers will follow suit in abandoning copper landlines.
However, the transition away from traditional at&t landline service is not without its challenges, particularly for Wisconsin residents in rural areas. These regions often suffer from inconsistent cell service and limited broadband access. Orton emphasizes this concern, stating, “It’s old-fashioned technology, but there are some people in every state — particularly in rural areas — that don’t have another alternative because there’s still no good cell service and certainly no good internet service.” For these individuals, at&t landline service remains a critical lifeline for communication, especially for emergency services like 911.
To ensure a smooth transition and prevent leaving vulnerable populations behind, Orton suggests that AT&T should invest in enhancing its rural cell and broadband services and infrastructure. This investment would ensure that customers can continue to access essential services, including reliable 911 access, even after the copper network is decommissioned. “Money has to be spent because other technology has to be put in (copper wire’s) place,” he asserts. He concludes by highlighting the disproportionate impact on certain demographics: “The older, more rural and less affluent you are, the harder it is for you to change over to the cell phone or the smartphone or whatever it is that is available.” As AT&T phases out its at&t landline service, addressing these disparities and ensuring equitable access to communication technology will be crucial.
