FCC halts Verizon plan to end legacy landline service

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has halted the automatic approval of Verizon’s request to discontinue legacy copper-based landline telephone services. The decision prevents the application from being granted automatically on the scheduled date, providing federal regulators more time to review the proposal.

Verizon’s application seeks to retire traditional TDM-based voice service in portions of Virginia, Arizona, Delaware, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Utah. The company intends to transition customers to newer technologies such as fiber, cable, and wireless services, which it maintains provide reliable alternatives.

The proposal has faced opposition from local governments and officials, including the Virginia Association of Counties and Congressman Ben Cline. Critics expressed concerns regarding rural areas where cellular coverage may be limited and noted that traditional copper lines can function during power outages, which is critical for accessing 911 services.

The FCC clarified that this pause is “not a final determination on the merits” of the request. Verizon has stated it intends to discontinue the affected services on or after October 23, 2026, pending required federal authorization.