Verizon, Frontier Seek Approval to Retire Portions of Copper Landline Networks

Verizon and Frontier are moving to retire portions of their traditional copper telephone networks, citing declining use, high maintenance costs and the availability of newer communications technologies. The proposed changes could affect customers in several states who still depend on legacy landline service.

Verizon Proposal Covers 10 States

Verizon has filed a proposal with the Federal Communications Commission to discontinue Plain Old Telephone Service, commonly known as POTS, in portions of California, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

The company proposed an effective date of Nov. 30. Verizon said its copper landline network is expensive to maintain, does not meet current speed and service expectations, and is used by fewer customers than the system was designed to support.

Verizon also told the FCC that it would not proceed if an agency-approved replacement solution is unavailable. In that case, customers would continue receiving service over the existing Verizon copper network.

Frontier Plans Copper Retirement in North Carolina

Frontier issued a public notice on Aug. 7 stating that it planned to retire copper facilities at 41 North Carolina wire centers. The listed locations include wire centers in Franklin and Highlands, with the work scheduled for completion by Nov. 16.

Traditional landline service typically uses a pair of copper conductors running between the telephone network and a subscriber’s location. Telecommunications providers have increasingly sought to replace those facilities with fiber, broadband and wireless systems.

Customers Raise Reliability Concerns

Some customers have objected to the proposed retirements, expressing concern that the transition could affect residents in areas located far from cellular towers or served by inconsistent wireless coverage.

Traditional landlines were valued for operating independently of household internet connections and for providing service through a dedicated wired network. However, landline use has declined sharply as consumers have shifted to mobile phones and internet-based communications.

The proposed network changes remain subject to regulatory review. Until approvals are granted and replacement services are available, affected customers may continue to receive service through existing copper facilities.