The death of landlines – woe to seniors who depend on them

Carl, There is already a reform of the Universal Service Fund called the Connect America Fund. It is already in play - current landline incumbent telephone companies have funds set aside for them that will help them phase over to the new plan in 3 years. They can choose to take them or not. The rules are in a missive that is 750 pages long. Some incumbents will likely refuse the funds since there are some mandates attached to them. The Connect America fund is seeking proposals from groups to learn how to subsidize broadband in pilot demonstration projects. We should watch the pilots and see how they shake out. That will give us some major clues about how broadband subsidies will be run in the long term. With regard to your comments about cellular coverage, I must disagree with you. Being in Southern California, I can point out quite a number of unserved cell areas, no disaster needed, in urban areas. There are vast differences in coverage by different providers. Many seniors I know have cell phones, but don't turn them on. Cell phones are *still* far more expensive than most landlines around here and, with the bundles that both cable and telcos offer, most seniors don't think they need to use their cells for those "expensive" calls. Many seniors I know also feel obligated to answer their phones (unlike most of my peers and youngsters who let them roll to voice mail that they never check.) For real use, elders have to replace their home phones with some sort of bluetooth interface phone system. And, frankly, this complicates their lives more than they wish. But, cell phones are useful and I recommend that all seniors at least get a prepaid phone for emergencies.

Look at the transition from analog to digital TV. Years of education preceded the actual cutover. The same has to occur if the US goes to a wireless only system since so many older adults depend on them. For years, the phone companies have told people that they *needed* their wired phones for 911. While that is changing with E911, most people don't know that. With regard to the 'disaster' preparedness of the wired and mobile systems, it depends on the situation. Wired telephone providers have to guarantee 8 hours of service, even if power is down. But, if the wired line is also down, no service. Seniors who have any sort of chronic condition or are frail should request that the phone company and the power company put them on their emergency restoral list - so that their service comes back first. Cell phones are useful for some and I recommend that all seniors at least get a prepaid phone for emergencies. In the last fire, my office landline and broadband wired connections were burnt down and the phone company told us it would be 30-45 days for repair. Once upon a time, the US had the best telephone system in the world. We don't anymore. Cellular prices, according to the OECD, are one of highest in the world. (https://www.oecd.org/document/9/0,3746,en_21571361_44315115_48129353_1_1_1_1,00&&en-USS_01DBC.html, https://www.oecd.org/document/21/0,3343,fr_2649_201185_43471316_1_1_1_1,00.html, https://www.theverge.com/2012/3/15/2876459/shared-cellular-data-plans-editorial) OECD also says broadband speeds are bad.

As a knowledgeable friend recently told me when we were discussing the recent spate of state-based legislation that the phone companies have launched: "There was an earlier attempt to re-write the 96 Act under Sen. Ted Stevens, then chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee (forever branding him as "Tubes" Stevens). In 2005 AT&T wanted to get into the video business but rather than have to pass muster in every locality, the bill sought to nationalize the franchise process by providing for state-wide video franchises. When that bill foundered, AT&T abandoned the federal model and sought state legislation that would supersede local franchises. They succeeded in every state in which they had a significant local presence so that today every state provides for state-wide video franchising. VZ stuck with the old model. In both cases, wired video of course became irrelevant as their core business model has changed and focuses on wireless services. This earlier history does illustrate AT&T's political potency and ability to get what it wants." Here is the TURN position on the CA legislation underway: http://www.turn.org/article.php?id=1848. It says: "While masquerading as legislation with limited application to VOIP only, in reality SB 1161 would mean the end of regulatory oversight over large monopoly phone companies. Consumers would no longer be able to turn to a state agency for resolution of complaints, and would be left utterly defenseless." Live in the digital lane is a hurdle for many, particularly elders. We need to provide respect and the appropriate help before we abandon them.