In the heart of rural California, a tech nightmare is unfolding that could literally leave people for dead. AT&T is on a mission to eliminate copper landlines, and it’s not just about upgrading technology - it’s a cold, calculated profit grab that could strand thousands of vulnerable residents without emergency communication.

Rural communities like Hacienda are facing a terrifying reality where cellphone signals are as rare as unicorns and internet connectivity is more myth than reality. Residents like Kathy Yerger know the drill: put your phone in the window, hope the stars align, and pray you can make a single call.

The Corporate Takeover

AT&T’s grand plan isn’t about modernization - it’s about maximizing shareholder profits. By spending millions lobbying politicians and creating fake “grassroots” support, the telecom giant is pushing legislation that would allow them to abandon critical communication infrastructure in less profitable areas.

Rural Residents Fight Back

Local activists aren’t taking this lying down. Community members like Phil Grosse are organizing, creating emergency communication networks, and exposing AT&T’s manipulative tactics. They’ve developed walking evacuation routes and even considered using bullhorns to ensure people can call for help during disasters.

The Real Cost of Cutting Connections

What AT&T fails to understand is that these landlines aren’t just wires - they’re literal lifelines. In emergency situations like wildfires and floods, these copper lines can mean the difference between life and death. And while AT&T boasts about billions in profits, rural Californians are fighting for their basic right to communicate.