AT&T has announced plans to invest $19 billion in California through 2030 as part of a broad effort to upgrade its telecommunications infrastructure. The initiative focuses on expanding fiber-optic and fixed wireless services while transitioning away from older copper-based networks, including DSL internet and traditional landline phone services.
The company stated that the shift addresses the limitations of aging copper infrastructure, which struggles to meet current demands for reliable, high-speed connectivity. Copper networks have become increasingly prone to issues such as theft and higher maintenance costs, while newer technologies offer improved performance, energy efficiency, and security features. Under the plan, AT&T will begin discontinuing copper-based services in parts of California on or after June 1, 2027, using a phased approach over approximately one year.
Only about 3 percent of the households served by AT&T in California currently rely on traditional phone service over copper lines. The transition targets areas where fiber or wireless alternatives are available, ensuring that no customer loses access to phone or 911 emergency services. AT&T emphasized that the process will be gradual, with support provided to affected customers to facilitate the move to modern options.
Fiber service represents a central element of the upgrade. AT&T intends to extend fiber access to more than 4 million additional households and businesses by the end of 2030, bringing the total to over 9 million locations across the state. Fiber technology delivers significantly faster speeds and greater reliability compared to DSL, supporting applications that require substantial bandwidth, including remote healthcare, education, and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence.
In locations where fiber deployment may not be immediately feasible, AT&T plans to rely on fixed wireless solutions delivered over its 5G network. The company will add more than 1,200 new cell sites statewide by 2030 to strengthen coverage in urban, suburban, and rural areas. This expansion aims to handle growing data traffic and improve overall network resilience.
The modernization effort includes specific measures to support customers during the transition. For traditional home phone users in affected areas, AT&T will offer AT&T Phone – Advanced service at no cost for the first three months. This product functions similarly to legacy landline service, works with existing phones and compatible devices such as fax machines, home alarms, and medical monitors, and includes battery backup. Business customers will have access to comparable voice solutions. Discounts will also be available for qualifying California LifeLine participants upgrading to these services.
Beyond customer transitions, the investment is expected to generate employment opportunities. AT&T anticipates hiring hundreds of technicians to support fiber deployment and the decommissioning of copper facilities. The company has committed to recruiting, training, and upskilling workers to meet the demands of modern infrastructure development.
Community outreach forms another component of the announcement. AT&T plans to open six additional Connected Learning Centers in 2026 and conduct more than 30 digital literacy workshops focused on topics such as internet basics, cybersecurity, and device usage. The company will allocate an extra $1.2 million to nonprofits addressing the digital divide, disaster preparedness, and support for older adults and tribal communities. These efforts build on prior contributions exceeding $2.5 million in 2025.
Environmental benefits are also projected from the shift away from copper. The company estimates annual energy savings of 300 million kilowatt-hours by 2030, equivalent to the emissions avoided by removing approximately 17 million gallons of gasoline from use, based on illustrative national assumptions adjusted for California conditions.
This California commitment aligns with AT&T’s broader national strategy to retire legacy copper networks where feasible, supported by federal policy updates that facilitate modernization. The $19 billion planned for 2026 through 2030 exceeds the previous five-year investment by $3 billion, contributing to a total of $35 billion invested in the state’s networks from 2021 to 2030.
The transition reflects ongoing changes in the telecommunications industry, where demand for high-speed internet continues to rise. DSL service, once a common broadband option, offers lower speeds and less consistency than fiber or advanced wireless alternatives. By prioritizing newer technologies, AT&T aims to position California residents and businesses for future economic and technological growth while maintaining service continuity.
Customers in affected areas will receive notifications and assistance as the phased rollout progresses. AT&T has indicated that the process will prioritize reliability and accessibility, with multiple upgrade pathways available depending on location and individual needs. The full scope of the modernization is expected to unfold over the coming years, with initial copper discontinuities beginning in 2027.
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Correction: AT&T says at this time only coper phone service is shutting down not DSL>
