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AB 2443

Telephone corporations: carriers of last resort.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Tina McKinnor

AB 2443 requires California telephone corporations to function as carriers of last resort, ensuring service availability in underserved areas lacking competitive providers.

Referred to Com. on C. & C.
#telephonecorporations #carriersoflastresort
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · AB 2443

Legislative bill overview

AB 2443 addresses the role of telephone corporations as "carriers of last resort" in California. The bill appears to establish or clarify regulatory obligations for telecom providers to maintain service availability in underserved or economically challenged areas where commercial service might otherwise be unavailable.

Why is this important

Rural and low-income communities often lack competitive telecom providers, creating "service deserts" where residents cannot access basic telephone connectivity. This bill would ensure baseline service obligations exist for telephone corporations, preventing complete service gaps in areas that might otherwise be abandoned by the private market.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost allocation: Whether carriers should be compensated through subsidies, rate adjustments, or universal service funds for serving unprofitable areas, and how these costs would be distributed among consumers
  • Definition and scope: Which areas qualify as requiring a "carrier of last resort" and what minimum service standards (voice only, broadband speeds, etc.) would be mandatory
  • Regulatory burden: Whether expanded obligations on telephone corporations could reduce their competitiveness or incentivize service withdrawal from marginal markets entirely

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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