The End of an Era: AT&T to Eliminate Traditional Landline Service by 2029

In a major announcement, AT&T has revealed that it will be phasing out its traditional landline service across nearly all U.S. states by 2029. The company cites the outdated copper wire infrastructure as the primary reason, labeling it as “antiquated and costly to operate.” Instead, AT&T plans to focus on providing better telecommunications services to customers using wireless and fiber broadband.

The Rise and Fall of Landlines

AT&T first introduced landline service in 1885, and by the 1930s, the company had a monopoly on the market, owning 80% of the telephones in use in the U.S. Today, the company still offers landline service in 21 states, but with some states in the northeast and northwest no longer using AT&T’s landline service.

The Impact on Consumers

While some consumer advocates argue that senior citizens and others who are not familiar with cellular phones and smartphones should continue to have access to landlines, others believe that those who cannot afford cell service and Americans living in rural areas without access to cell service should also have the option to keep their landlines.

Despite the initial shock, the writing was on the wall for landlines. The rise of cell service in the late 1990s and the popularity of smartphones have made landlines a thing of the past. In fact, only 5% of AT&T’s residential subscribers still use a landline today.

The Countdown Begins

With AT&T’s announcement, the countdown timer is set at about five years for the company’s landline service. It’s unclear what the future holds for landlines, but one thing is certain – the world is moving towards wireless and fiber broadband communication.

As we say goodbye to landlines, it’s hard not to think about the impact this will have on our daily lives. Will we see a resurgence in the use of landlines in the future, or will they become a relic of the past? Only time will tell.

What do you think about AT&T’s decision to eliminate traditional landline service? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Source: AT&T spokesperson

“We’re working with our customers through this transition. No customers will lose voice or 911 service. We’ve been working at the state and federal levels to update the regulatory frameworks. While the work has been underway with the states, we’ve also been working with the FCC.”