The Last Holdout: AT&T Sues California to Retire Aging Copper Networks

This lawsuit epitomizes the ongoing tension between corporate modernization and regulatory consumer protection in telecom infrastructure. California's refusal to waive the Carrier of Last Resort obligation—making it the sole holdout among 21 states—could set nationwide precedent on whether legacy infrastructure maintenance remains mandatory. The outcome will significantly influence how quickly American telecom providers can transition from aging copper networks to modern broadband infrastructure.