Verizon seeks to phase out legacy copper landline networks

Verizon has filed a petition with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to phase out its legacy “plain old telephone service” (POTS) across approximately a dozen states and Washington, D.C. The company cited the high cost of maintaining aging copper infrastructure, noting that the metal is increasingly prone to theft and that replacement parts are difficult to find.

Verizon argued that the transition is necessary to redirect investment toward modern fiber-optic and wireless technologies. While the company claims that mobile and voice-over-internet (VoIP) services can meet 911 regulatory requirements, the move has raised concerns in rural areas where cellular service may be unreliable.

Data indicates a significant shift in usage; Verizon reports that only about 3 percent of homes and businesses in the affected regions still utilize landlines. However, in New York, the reliance remains higher, with approximately 38 percent of adults still maintaining landline service.