Trigg County Fiscal Court is taking a formal stand against AT&T’s plan to transition away from traditional copper landlines.
Magistrates approved a resolution Monday night opposing the removal of the service, citing concerns over public safety and reliability for rural residents who lack consistent cellular coverage.
Judge-Executive Stan Humphries said AT&T’s plan is to remove the landlines before the end of the year in Kentucky.
According to documentation filed by AT&T with the Federal Communications Commission, the company plans to phase out landlines across the country by 2029.
While fewer Americans still utilize landlines, and the number continues to decline each year, Humphries added that this could be a life-saving issue for those in Trigg County who do not have cell service at home.
According to the International Center for Law & Economics, repairing a copper line in rural Trigg County often requires a technician to drive long distances for a single household. These “truck rolls” can cost the company hundreds of dollars per visit—often more than a customer pays for an entire year of service.
Additionally, Kentucky’s humidity and environmental stressors cause copper to corrode faster than fiber. AT&T has stated that fiber-optic lines are roughly 35% cheaper to maintain per subscriber than the legacy copper lines used in Trigg County.
Before County Attorney Randy Braboy read the resolution, Humphries asked magistrates to vote “what they think is best.”
While Cameron Sumner was absent, the remaining magistrates voted unanimously to approve the resolution. Humphries said it would be sent to state and federal government officials and the AT&T corporate office.
