As technology advances, Landline service debate people are dropping their landlines and switching to cellular and Internet-based phone services like VoIP. But for some, especially those in rural areas or who have a complex business phone system, the transition to VoIP is not simple. If you own a hotel, for example, you might have a massive switchboard, lots of phones and extensive wiring that requires a significant investment to replace. For businesses, there are also concerns about reliability.

In these cases, a traditional copper wire landline might be the best option. But there’s a growing debate over the fate of landline service. Currently, AT&T is legally required to maintain its aging copper-wire network as a “carrier of last resort.” It wants to pull back from that obligation, which would let it phase out traditional landline service. A bill, AB 470, is now advancing through the California legislature, and has sparked a debate between advocates of technological progress and those concerned about universal access and public safety.

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Thousands of people have already spoken out against AT&T’s plan to drop copper-wire landline service in their homes. Many of those are seniors, and some live in rural areas that have spotty cell service. For them, a landline can be an important connection to family members, medical providers and emergency services. It’s also a lifeline in power outages or natural disasters like fires and floods. During the hearing for AB 470, several speakers told lawmakers that pulling out AT&T’s COLR commitment would strip them of a crucial connection to the outside world.