Verizon Plans to Phase Out Copper Landline Infrastructure
Wicomico County, Md. — Some residents are expressing concern over plans from Verizon to phase out copper landlines for voice service as the company looks to fully modernize their network. Verizon recently sent out preliminary notices to customers informing them of the planned changes, which are still awaiting FCC approval before they can proceed.
The company told WMDT that the notice is just informational and there is no imminent disconnection. They added that the infrastructure update process will include going address-by-address to see if individuals are able to use an FCC-approved alternative service to the current copper. If no suitable replacement is available, the copper already in place will remain.
Verizon explained that only 3% of their customers are still on copper and some of the infrastructure is around 100 years old. They added that the copper is costly to maintain and takes significant time to repair.
Verizon issued a statement to WMDT.
“As we transition from legacy copper to modern networks, we are committed to ensuring no customer is left behind. Our customers’ home phone service is not going away. Receiving an initial notice simply marks the beginning of a multi-step regulatory process and does not mean immediate service disconnect. Furthermore, if a suitable replacement is not yet available, we will not discontinue a customer’s copper voice service,” Verizon said. “For the very small percentage of impacted customers, we are providing seamless transitions to ultra-fast fiber or an alternative service that offers a traditional landline experience—including the use of existing handsets, battery backup in the event of power outages, and full E911 support—powered by our award-winning wireless network.”
The company continued —
“We are committed to ensuring that customers remain connected as we transition from a 100-year-old copper network to the faster, more reliable technologies of the 21st century. Our goal is to provide every community with the resilient, high-speed infrastructure required for today’s world while maintaining the essential safety features that our customers rely on.”
Wicomico County resident Mary Ellen Holloway said her notice came early in September, and she isn’t a fan of the changes at the moment.
“The letter said that Verizon is doing away with the copper wiring and landline phones and that there were two options, I believe: one is cellular and one is fiber. Now, I know that cellular does not always work in the area. I would like to be able to keep the landline phone that I have because it has several phones. If I’m away from it, I don’t have to rush to it and be afraid of falling,” Holloway said.
Verizon told WMDT that customers will still be able to use their landline as before and emphasized that they will work with customers as the process continues.
“If it is confirmed that a customer will need to transition, we will contact that customer and support them through a seamless transition,” Verizon told WMDT.
Holloway hopes that the communication is there with in-person meetings, especially for senior residents.
“I think all of us, especially the older citizens, should look into if they’re not going to like Verizon’s plan, what they could do. I think it would be a good thing if Verizon would send a representative around to the communities that are involved in this. And let us ask questions and talk to a person instead of trying to figure out a letter or get online,” Holloway said.
Verizon does have a webpage detailing their reasoning for making the changes and answering frequently asked questions.
Holloway said she wants to stay with Verizon and hopes there are benefits if she has to make a change.
“We’ll just have to wait and see what they come up with. But yeah, I’m willing to still have them. I’ve had them for over 50 years. And I just hope it can work out,” Holloway said.
