Verizon filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to discontinue traditional copper-based landline services. The move targets areas where customers already have access to fiber or wireless alternatives. This transition shifts the company away from aging and expensive copper infrastructure.
Verizon has started notifying customers that services will not face immediate interruption. Regulatory approval would allow the carrier to formally replace legacy networks. The shift aims to free up capital for reinvestment into high-speed fiber and 5G wireless networks.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr suggests retiring copper networks could unlock tens of billions of dollars for industry modernization. The FCC expects to announce a decision on Verizon’s application by the end of November. This ruling will establish a precedent for other telecommunications providers seeking similar transitions.