411 is going out of service for millions of Americans Who Use AT&T

Petition to: John T. Stankey, CEO of AT&T

            The purpose of this petition is to ask AT&t to reinstate 411 directory assistance service for all customers.

According to a CNN article (411 is going out of service for millions of Americans  | CNN Business January 9, 2023) by Nathaniel Meyersohn “The operator is going off the hook for millions of customers.

Starting in January, AT&T customers with digital landlines won’t be able to dial 411 or 0 to reach an operator or get directory assistance. AT&T in 2021 ended operator services for wireless callers, although customers with home phone landlines can still access operators and directory help. Verizon, T-Mobile and other major carriers still offer these services for a fee, but may follow AT&t’s “business decision” if it is not reversed.

According to WNYC’s “The Take Away”, this will affect three million customers.  

“411 usage is not insignificant,” the FCC said in a 2019 report. The FCC estimated then that 71 million calls annually were placed to 411.”

On a notice on AT&T’s website, the company directs customers to find addresses and phone numbers on Google or online directories. “Nearly all of these customers have internet access to look up this information,” said an AT&T spokesperson. 

Dropping 411 Directory Assistance service affects many elders and people with disabilities who cannot read phone books and/or don’t have Internet access. 

Complaints can be registered online or by phone with the Federal Communications Commission at Phone: 1-888-225-5322. Directory assistance, 411 is not a mandated service, so all the FCC can do is inform AT&T of the complaint.

Please sign this petition to ask AT&T to reinstate full 411 service. People who can’t look up numbers and/or don’t have Internet access need your help to reverse this bad business decision!