State regulators moved closer to letting AT&T end service for thousands of low-income customers if their phone company, LifeConnex Telecom, doesn't pay AT&T nearly $1.4 million in bills.

The N.C. Utilities Commission said LifeConnex, based in Wisconsin, has five days to pay AT&T. If LifeConnex doesn't meet the deadline, "AT&T is authorized to resume the process of suspending and/or terminating its service to LifeConnex."

LifeConnex is one of seven phone companies that AT&T is trying to collect money from. But two others — EveryCall Communications and Freedom Communications — have filed for bankruptcy. In July, LifeConnex had 8,800 customers in North Carolina.