AT&T: 50 percent of voice customers in trial cities transitioned to IP services

AT&T has been preparing for the IP transition, or shutting down its copper, circuit switched network and moving customers to all IP networks – either wired or wireless. The company is testing its approach in two cities – Carbon Hill, AL and Delray Beach, FL. According to an FCC filing, AT&T reports that 50 percent of customers in these trial cities have voluntarily migrated from the circuit-switched to an IP-switched voice service.

But if 50 percent of customers have migrated to fiber, then 50 percent have not despite significant outreach from the company. Half of AT&T’s customers in the trial cities still rely on the legacy circuit-switched network. The FCC recently updated its IP transition rules to ensure that every customer will continue to have access to reliable, affordable, quality service regardless of the technology.

The FCC made clear that an adequate replacement to current technology must provide similar levels of network quality as the discontinued service; it must be in compliance with federal standards regarding 911, access for people with disabilities, and cybersecurity; and it must be interoperable with fax machines, home security systems, and medical devices. Legacy carriers must undertake a comprehensive consumer education program prior to any request to discontinue service.

Furthermore, service over new technology cannot be significantly more expensive than the copper service, because such a transition would fail to meet the Communications Act statutory mandate to provide quality services at “just, reasonable, and affordable rates” to all Americans.

Links:

AT&T says 50% of voice customers in Alabama, Florida trial cities transitioned to IP services (FierceTelecom, Jan. 20, 2017)

FCC filing on trial Tech Transitions in Carbon Hill, AL and Delray Beach, FL (AT&T, Jan. 19, 2017)

FCC updates service discontinuance rules (Speed Matters, July 14, 2016)