VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC · News & developments
Verizon Seeks FCC Approval to Decommission Copper Networks Across Multiple States
Verizon has filed applications with the Federal Communications Commission to retire its legacy copper landline networks in more than a dozen states. An initial application covers nine states—Arizona, Delaware, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah, and Virginia—where copper serves over 12 million locations but retains roughly 277,000 legacy lines, targeting discontinuation on or after October 23, 2026. A second application covers nine additional states and Washington, D.C., with a retirement date targeted on or after November 30, 2026. Verizon plans to migrate remaining customers to fiber or fixed wireless alternatives offering battery backup equipment.
Why this matters
Running parallel copper and optical footprints forces a telecom carrier to pay maintenance on aging, low-capacity plant for an increasingly tiny base of subscribers. In the first nine filing states, legacy lines represent less than 2.25% of total passings, yet the underlying copper infrastructure creates fixed upkeep costs and exposure to physical theft. Shifting those holdouts to fiber or fixed wireless terminates double-network operating expenses, though the risk remains that rural pushback on cell coverage gaps and power reliability could cause regulatory delays.
Written with AI from the linked sources and reviewed by a SageNoodle editor. How we work.
Explore VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC research →