An old landline phone next to a modern IP desk phone in a Los Angeles office

AT&T Landline Shutdown in California: A Guide for Businesses

Last updated October 31, 2026. We update this page as the FCC, the CPUC and the courts act.

Short answer: AT&T plans to start ending traditional copper landline service in parts of California on or after June 1, 2027. The FCC approved AT&T’s request to discontinue the service on June 29, 2026. California regulators are still fighting the change, but businesses with AT&T copper lines should plan their replacement now.

Timeline so far

Date	What happened
2024	The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) rejected AT&T’s request to drop its “carrier of last resort” duty to provide landline service.
December 2024	AT&T announced plans to end copper-based services across the US by 2029.
May 20, 2026	AT&T filed FCC applications to discontinue landline voice service in parts of 360 California wire centers, about 184,000 residential and 15,000 business customers. AT&T began mailing notices to affected customers.
May 2026	AT&T sued the CPUC and the California Attorney General to be released from its carrier of last resort obligations.
June 29, 2026	The FCC approved AT&T’s discontinuance request.
July 2026	Comments closed on AT&T’s separate request asking the FCC to preempt California’s copper retirement rules. The CPUC and the Attorney General asked the court to dismiss AT&T’s lawsuit.
June 1, 2027	The earliest date AT&T says it will begin shutting off service in affected areas.

As of this update, the preemption request and the court cases had not been decided. Until they are, California rules still protect landline service, but the direction is clear: copper lines are being phased out.

Is my business affected?

You received a letter from AT&T. Federal rules require AT&T to notify affected customers. Keep the letter: it lists the lines and the date.
Your phone bill lists “business line,” “1FB” or “POTS.” These are usually copper lines.
Your lines plug into a jack in the wall, not into a router or a phone system that uses the internet.

The CPUC publishes the list and map of affected wire centers.

Lines businesses forget about

The main phone number is easy to spot. These lines are easy to miss, and some are required for safety:

Fax lines. Replace with online fax, which delivers faxes to email.
Alarm and security panels. Ask your alarm company about a cellular or internet communicator.
Elevator emergency phones and fire panels. These are often required by code. Work with your building manager and the equipment vendor.
Credit card terminals and postage meters that still dial out.
Door entry phones and gate callboxes.

What to do now

Inventory every line. Match each number on your AT&T bill to the device or person that uses it.
Decide what each line becomes. Main numbers and staff lines usually move to a cloud phone system. Fax moves to online fax. Alarm and elevator lines move to a certified cellular or internet device.
Keep your numbers. Business numbers can be ported to a new provider, so customers keep calling the same number.
Switch before the deadline. Waiting until 2027 risks a rush when installers and porting desks are busiest.

How Supreme Call helps

Supreme Call replaces AT&T copper lines for Los Angeles businesses with a cloud phone system. We review your bill, port your numbers, install the phones on-site, set up online fax, and train your team. Plans run $19.99 to $24.99 per extension per month, with no installation fee and month-to-month service. Read our blog post on what small businesses should do before June 2027, or see the business phone FAQ.

Sources

Talk to a local Supreme Call specialist. Call (310) 444-1500, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, or book a free one-on-one call. Plans run $19.99 to $24.99 per extension per month, with no installation fee and month-to-month service.