The copper phone line has been a fixture in American homes since the 1800s, but it is finally being phased out. Verizon has asked the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for permission to end traditional landline service in parts of Arizona, Delaware, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah, and Virginia. If the FCC does not intervene, the request is automatically approved on Saturday, September 26, and Verizon may begin disconnecting service on or after October 23.
Verizon’s petition covers roughly 277,000 home and business lines across those states. The company says maintaining the aging copper network is increasingly costly: replacement parts are scarce, equipment failures are more common, and copper theft is a persistent problem. For these reasons, Verizon and other carriers are transitioning customers to newer technologies that rely on fiber or wireless connections.
Why the copper network is being retired
Carriers like Verizon point to several practical issues with the copper network. The infrastructure requires continuous maintenance and frequent repairs. As suppliers of legacy components shrink and parts become harder to source, keeping the copper network operational becomes more expensive and less sustainable. The metal itself—copper—also attracts thieves, which creates safety risks and adds to repair costs.
Usage trends reinforce the business case for retirement. Landline subscriptions have declined sharply in the last decade as consumers adopt mobile phones and internet-based calling. According to Verizon’s filing, landline subscriptions dropped substantially between 2014 and 2024; in the nine states covered by this particular request, fewer than 2.25% of people who could get a landline still pay for the service. Given the low subscriber counts in these areas, Verizon argues it is no longer viable to continue maintaining the copper network.
Verizon is not stopping with this initial filing. The carrier has submitted a second request that would affect additional states and Washington, D.C., impacting about 750,000 more homes and businesses. AT&T has also said it expects to finish retiring its copper network by 2029.
What copper lines provide that replacements may not
Despite their decline in use, traditional copper landlines offer some features that newer options may not fully replicate. Most importantly, copper telephone lines carry their own power from the central office, so they typically keep working during household power outages. Verizon’s replacement home phone equipment generally runs on AA batteries and is rated to provide roughly 23 to 24 hours of standby power—useful but not identical to the continuous power delivered by a copper line.
This difference matters most in rural or underserved areas where cell coverage and broadband fiber are unreliable or nonexistent. Local governments and advocacy groups have asked the FCC to slow the transition in some places, citing concerns that residents could lose access to reliable voice service and emergency calling if wireless or fiber alternatives are not available.
Another practical issue involves legacy devices: medical alert pendants, older alarm systems, and certain home security devices were designed to work over copper lines. Verizon says its replacement options support many older devices, but that is not the same as universal compatibility. Customers who depend on medical monitoring equipment or alarm systems should confirm compatibility before a copper line is retired.
What customers should do now
Verizon says it will not disconnect a copper line at an address unless a replacement service is available there, and affected customers should receive written notice with the actual cutoff date. If you rely on a plugged-in landline, take a few steps now to prepare:
- Watch for mailed notices from your provider that list the confirmed cutoff date for your address.
- Contact any medical alert or alarm vendors to confirm whether their equipment will work over fiber or a wireless replacement; ask about required adapters or upgrades.
- If you use a replacement device that relies on batteries, keep fresh spare AA batteries on hand and consider the expected standby time.
- Explore alternate options—fiber-based home phone service, VoIP (Voice over IP), or cellular-based home phone adapters—so you know what service is available at your address.
- If you live in a rural area with limited wireless or broadband options, raise the issue with local officials or utility commissions to ensure continuity of emergency communications.
Transitioning away from copper lines will affect different households in different ways. For many consumers, the practical impact may be minimal because mobile and internet-based services already meet their needs. For others—especially in rural regions or for people who rely on older medical or security devices—it will require planning and, in some cases, equipment changes to maintain reliable phone and emergency service. Taking steps now to verify compatibility and understand replacement options will help minimize disruption when copper service is retired.