Virtual Hearings on Internet Access in Bennett Valley

2 hearings—2:00 pm and 6:00 pm

What: CPUC hearings to remove legacy landlines, with no remedy

When: Tuesday, March 19, 2:00 and 6:00

Where: Online, click times for link

From Robert Stephens, BVCA Board Member:

AT&T is petitioning the California Public Utilities Commission to remove landline and DSL service. But AT&T has not committed to replacing this with fiber optics or more wireless coverage in Bennett Valley. We want your voice to be heard - and ask the PUC to DENY AT&T's application unless they commit to replacing the old copper network with fiber optics or more wireless coverage.  

March 19, 2024, 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. - You can join 1 of 2 hearings on this date - virtually. More info at CPUC website here.

• AT&T Wants to pull up the old copper landlines - but has not committed to replacing it with fiber optic or more signal tower coverage
  
  

  • I drove 60 miles up to Ukiah recently to attend and speak on behalf of the BVCA to register our concern at the Public Utilities Commission hearing.
    
    

  • I don't blame AT&T for wanting to cut the hassle and cost of maintaining old copper landlines.
    
    

  • Many people rely on this service, though, for their only source of communication, emergencies, gate controllers, etc.
    
    

  • AT&T has installed fiber in most burned areas, like Bennett Ridge, that suffered the worst

• We need your voice at one of the only Virtual Hearings on March 19, 2024, 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
  
  

• Xfinity does not cover most of Bennett Valley
  
  

• Fixed Wireless services from Verizon and AT&T do not cover much of Bennett Valley.
  
  

• We need more coverage from local internet providers like R-Tech and CDS.
  
  

• Not everyone can deploy StarLink due to tree and topography challenges.

Next Issue: Robert is testing the latest gear (only a few hundred dollars) but this new 60Ghz technology will transform rural broadband. Once he tunes this setup - he will get speeds of up to 2.5Gbps