LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Michiganders who have a landline with AT&T will need to make other plans soon. AT&T announced it will eliminate its landline phone service in 21 states, including Michigan.
AT&T said the transition will be complete by 2029. Previously, AT&T described its copper wire phone lines as “antiquated” technology that require costly service. In addition, the company said those phone lines aren’t as effective as wireless broadband networks.
However, critics say landlines are a crucial service for people who live in rural areas with limited cell service, or older people who are more comfortable with home phone technology.
Regardless, this appears to be a numbers game. A survey by the National Center for Health Statistics found 6.7% of Michigan consumers surveyed have both a landline and cellphone. Only 2.5% adults rely only on landlines; 5% identified as mostly landline users.
According to the same study, more than three-quarters of Americans live in homes without landlines nationwide.
