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Featured Story T-Mobile: We'll be first with 6G, and no to SpaceX MVNO T-Mobile reports Q3 earnings and says it aims to be first with 6G in the US. It also continues to rule out an MVNO deal with SpaceX's Starlink. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr is circulating a proposal that aims to preempt California requirements that conflict with new FCC rules and approvals designed to accelerate the retirement of legacy copper networks. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr is circulating a proposal to preempt California "carrier of last resort" regulations that AT&T says are slowing its copper retirement plans in the state. The proposal arrives amid an ongoing clash between federal deregulation goals and state consumer-protection authority. The proposal follows recent FCC rules designed to speed up the retirement of power-hungry copper networks and to free up dollars for network upgrades and the deployment of IP-based wireless or fiber alternatives. It also tied into AT&T's FCC-approved plan to turn down copper services in certain parts of California that's been getting pushback from state regulators. The proposal aims to ensure that "state obligations cannot be used in a manner that prevents a provider from effectuating a discontinuance that the Commission has approved," the FCC said. Carr believes that the proposed order, if eventually adopted, would preempt state regulations related to copper retirements. However, there would be a comment and reply period that would take place before an FCC vote. Light Reading has asked the FCC when the proposed order will be released and when a vote might take place. AT&T is preparing to turn down a portion of its copper networks in California as the issue works its way through the FCC and the courts. AT&T operates 615 wire centers in California, and it has filed with the FCC to decommission about 360 of them covering about 184,000 customers in areas where AT&T currently has adequate fiber and wireless coverage for its POTS alternative. Per the FCC, AT&T can start that process in California on or after June 1, 2027, and AT&T has begun to communicate those plans with California customers currently being served by those initial 360 wire centers. AT&T also has attached a commitment to build fiber to an additional 4 million-plus homes and businesses in California (for a total commitment of 9 million). In May, AT&T filed a suit in California seeking to preempt state requirements that it believes are preventing the company from retiring copper-based phone services in the state. AT&T argues those requirements conflict with new FCC rules that are designed to streamline and accelerate migrations from copper networks. AT&T, which has been pushing hard for regulatory relief to retire its aging copper infrastructure, welcomed the FCC's move. "California deserves fast, reliable, future ready technology – and with the right policies in place, we’re delivering it and transitioning away from copper," an AT&T spokesperson said in statement emailed to Light Reading. "No customer will be left without access to voice or 911 service, and we’re committed to working with our customers every step of the way during this transition. We look forward to the FCC's decision." The FCC's stance on the matter is not without challenges. For example, reps for the Rural County Representatives of California, Communications Workers of America and The Utility Reform Network recently argued that the Communications Act imposes limitations on the FCC's ability to supersede state authority so the FCC, therefore, should reject AT&T's petition. "As commenters have made clear, granting AT&T’s petition could prevent the CPUC [California Public Utilities Commission] from ordering AT&T or another carrier to provide service, no matter what technology is used. Such a ruling would be far outside the FCC's authority," they said in this October 22 filing. "In sum, both legally and practically, the FCC is proscribed from preempting California's COLR [carrier of last resort] regulations." AT&T's work in California is one piece of a bigger plan to decommission the bulk of its copper network by 2030. To support the initiative, AT&T has developed AT&T Phone-Advanced, a POTS (plain old telephone service) alternative that supports all legacy devices via either wireless or fiber networks, including support for elements such as caller ID, E911, fax machines, alarm systems and medical monitoring devices. AT&T revealed earlier this month that just 1% of the operator's eligible customers are still using the company's legacy copper-based voice technology. Susan Johnson, AT&T's senior EVP, transformation and global supply chain, told Light Reading in a recent interview that the drop down in those customers comes as the company retires its copper networks but more so from customers who are upgrading on their own. AT&T says more than 100 of its outdated copper wire centers have been powered down and are no longer servicing customers. The company decommissioned copper-based services in more than 500 communities covering 1.3 million locations across 18 states so far, and expects to complete the decommissioning process in another 1,500 communities over the next year. "Hitting this first 100 wire centers with no customers left is important for us to prove out that this is working for our customers, and now we are leaning into further scale," Johnson said. "You're going to see scale pretty materially from here on out." AT&T isn't alone. Per a copper retirement tracker managed by Metro Colo Advisory, an advisory firm for data center infrastructure, Verizon is approved in parts of eight states (Florida, Indiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, Texas and Wisconsin), and has requests pending in 18 more (including parts of California), plus Washington, D.C. Editor's note: The story has been updated with a statement from AT&T.
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