The FCC sided with phone companies against California regulators regarding the provision of landlines.

Posted by On with Kara Swisher, Aug 10, 2026Checked Nov 2, 2026

Polygraph verdictTrue

Sources: 4 support1 context
Said: 1 time·
Confidence: 85%

On with Kara SwisherAug 10, 2026

The FCC approved AT&T's petition on June 29, 2026 to end copper landline service in California over the objection of state regulators, which supports the claim that it sided with the phone company against California.

What was said

… You know, maybe there are things that we need to improve in terms of the focus of the university system here on anti-Semitism, whatever it may be, but I don't think that's a sensible way to prosecute that. Uhm, I don't know what's another landline, right? The FCC just, uhm, sided with the with the phone companies against California regulators on the provision of landlines as a, as a service for people who couldn't get cell service. You know, so I think that my attitude is I'm going to say what I think is in the interest of Californians, regardless of what the, you know, administration is doing. However, I think it's just be honest to say that it's a Republican administration. …

On with Kara Swisher · Aug 10, 2026· from the transcriptPost →

What we found

Supports. Mercury News reports that on June 29 the FCC approved AT&T's petition to end traditional landline service for 184,000 California households, despite a California order that it must continue the service.[2]

Supports. Steve Hilton's letter to FCC Chair Brendan Carr, as reported by the Sacramento Bee, describes an FCC action on June 29 that advanced AT&T's plans over the objection of California regulators, many residents, and Attorney General Rob Bonta.[3]

Supports. The California Public Utilities Commission's federal-filings page confirms AT&T filed FCC applications to discontinue landline voice service and that the FCC accepted them and issued a public notice for comment.[1]

Supports. Law360 reports the FCC is considering preempting California's carrier-of-last-resort rules to let AT&T continue its copper landline retirement, which California regulators have refused to approve.[4]

Context. TURN reports that the FCC decision does not let AT&T immediately discontinue landlines, that California rules remain in effect, and that lawsuits and petitions are pending.[5]