Communities
Connected
Through Change
Understanding Landline Changes
Welcome to Conifer Communications' dedicated resource page for understanding the potential changes to landline services in Tuolumne, Calaveras, Mariposa, Stanislaus, and Merced Counties.
As we navigate these changes together, our goal is to keep you informed, prepared, and connected.
What's Happening?
This change isn't just about technology; it's about maintaining our connections to each other, ensuring our safety, and preserving the way of life that has thrived in these mountains and valleys for generations.
Why It Matters
Questions arise about the future of our connectivity, especially in emergencies and for those among us who rely on these lines the most—our seniors, our remote families, and our local businesses.
Embracing Change with Confidence
As we face the prospect of transitioning from traditional landline services to modern alternatives, our commitment is to ensure no one is left in the shadows.
We're here to light the path forward, embracing new ways to stay connected that are as reliable and straightforward as the landline phones we've always known.
Our Promise to You
As your local provider, Conifer Communications is at the forefront, ensuring that this transition is smooth, understandable, and beneficial for all.
We're here to answer your questions, address your concerns, and provide the support you need to navigate these changes. Together, we'll keep our communities connected through change, ensuring that our voices continue to traverse mountains and valleys, just as they always have.
Map of Proposed Areas for Relief from COLR Obligation
Landline FAQs
Reliability and Emergency Services
Without landlines 911 can be accessed through VoIP phones or cell phones, so long as both the phones and the towers they are attached to, have power and enough bandwidth for the calls, without those supports, 911 will be inaccessible.
No. As we have seen in major storms or at times when the main fiber line in our area has been damaged, the cell phone network alone is not robust enough to support all the area’s traffic.
Affordability and Accessibility
This remains to be seen. The CPUC should have much to say about this in their ruling this spring.
VoIP or cellular hotspots, in areas where available, will be the required alternative for folks with disabilities who have connectivity requirement.
Consumer Choice and Rights
Funding. While taxpayers funded many parts of the original copper telecommunications system it has been privatized and with sunsetting requirements about how long it must be maintained. While that time seemed far in the future, we are now at that sunset.
No. VoIP and cellular phones are the options for alternative connection, but that is not available everywhere and there will be dead zones of service where connection is not possible.
