Letter to the Editor - In the shadows of progress: Montana seniors and the landline shutdown

Editor,

In Montana, telecom companies have been given the green light by the FCC (https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-grants-relief-outdated-burdensome-phone-industry-regulations) to discontinue their copper wire landline phone service and replace it with internet-based phone service.

The FCC argues that the expensive maintenance of landline infrastructure prevents the transition to the next generation of communication technology. However, this deregulation affects vulnerable groups in Montana, including the elderly, rural communities, and those with poor internet connectivity.

It’s concerning that the profit of telecom giants is being prioritized over the needs of these marginalized groups. Imagine conveying this to my parents or the 160,000 seniors residing in Montana (https://www.communityphone.org/landline/mt#landline-usage-statistics) who still rely on their landline service. It’s not fair to force them to rely on an unreliable internet connection, especially when many seniors and elderly folks are already struggling to use their cellphones. If the power goes out, they lose internet access altogether.

The Montana Legislature has a crucial role to play in safeguarding the well-being of these vulnerable groups and should actively intervene to champion their cause, ensuring they are not left behind in this heedless push for “change.”

Howard Shepherd

Havre