Modernizing California's Carrier of Last Resort Rules for Better Broadband

The Facts -

Modernizing COLR Rules: A Crucial Step for California's Broadband Future

As California grapples with outdated broadband regulations, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) has urged the state's Public Utility Commission (CPUC) to update the Carrier of Last Resort (COLR) rules. These rules, which were initially designed to ensure landline service availability across all households, have become a barrier to broadband advancement in today's digital age.

The evolution of broadband technology has left California's regulatory framework lagging. COLR rules, once critical for guaranteeing landline access, now hinder Internet service providers (ISPs) from phasing out obsolete copper networks. Such networks have been outpaced by more advanced technologies like fiber, fixed wireless, and satellite, yet ISPs are still required to allocate resources to their maintenance, diverting funds away from modern infrastructure development.

Consumer impact is tangible. Though only about eight percent of U.S. homes still use copper-based broadband, COLR laws restrict ISPs from retiring these outdated networks even when superior alternatives are available. This misdirection of resources results in slower repairs and longer outages for those on copper connections, as maintenance tools and parts become rarer and more costly.

Eliminating COLR requirements in areas already equipped with advanced technologies, including major cities like Sacramento and Los Angeles as well as smaller municipalities like Santa Rosa and Riverside, is seen as a necessary step. This change would permit ISPs to focus on upgrading to next-gen networks. While concerns over service lapses during this transition exist, collaboration between ISPs and governments can ensure continuity.

The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, with its $42.5 billion in federal funding, offers a solution by promoting broadband deployment and addressing issues associated with copper retirement. It aims to connect every U.S. home to high-speed Internet, facilitating a smoother shift towards newer technologies.

Other states, like Utah, have already revised their COLR statutes, and the FCC has eased national requirements for copper line retirement. As U.S. broadband policy focuses on bridging the digital divide, California stands at a pivotal moment to empower its residents with access to the best broadband technology available.

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