Assemblyman Sought Hearings on Landline Terminations
The request follows plans by Verizon to discontinue landline services that many rural New York residents still rely on.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Telecommunications
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Assemblyman Joseph Angelino has formally requested public hearings from the FCC and the New York Public Service Commission regarding Verizon's plan to discontinue landline telephone service. The move aims to address concerns for the 40% of households in New York that continue to maintain landline connections.
Why it matters
The transition threatens essential communication infrastructure in regions where cellular coverage remains unreliable. The appeal seeks to force a regulatory review of how service changes impact residents who depend on traditional wireline networks.
Approximately 40% of all New York households currently maintain landline service. The request highlights the disparity between this reliance and the limited availability of reliable cellular infrastructure in upstate New York.
The players
Joseph Angelino
An Assemblyman who represents parts of New York and has initiated the request for regulatory oversight on telecommunications transitions.
Verizon
A telecommunications company providing regional wireline services and serving as the parent company for Frontier Communications.
Frontier Communications
A telecommunications provider that functions under the corporate umbrella of Verizon.
The details
The appeal targets Verizon, the parent company of Frontier Communications, to address the infrastructure shift. The assemblyman is petitioning the Federal Communications Commission and the New York Public Service Commission to intervene before existing service is fully decommissioned in rural areas where alternative mobile service is insufficient.
Timeline
September 21, 2026: Assemblyman Joseph Angelino called for public hearings.
The Tech Race
The request invokes the Federal Communications Commission's authority over utility service discontinuance. This move follows established processes for public oversight during the retirement of copper-wire infrastructure.
Residents concerned about losing service can file official complaints via the FCC at 1-888-225-5322 or the New York Public Service Commission at 1-800-342-3377. These numbers serve as the primary conduits for public feedback during the transition process.
The takeaway
The trajectory of this issue depends on whether federal or state regulators agree to hold the requested public hearings. Interested residents should monitor future announcements from the New York Public Service Commission to see if public sessions are scheduled.
Further reading
For updates on infrastructure shifts, visit Telecommunications.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wbng.
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Should telecommunications companies be required to maintain landline service in rural communities?
