AT&T to Phase Out Copper Landlines for Fiber Networks by 2029

January 9, 2025

AT&T has announced an ambitious plan to retire its traditional copper wire-based landline phone service in the U.S. within the next five years, targeting a complete shutdown of the old infrastructure by 2029. This significant shift is rooted in the company’s mission to vastly expand its faster and more reliable fiber networks, with an aim to cover approximately 50 million locations. AT&T contends that the aging copper services fall short of meeting the modern demands for speed, reliability, and continuous connectivity. The current copper network is not only inefficient but also unreliable during severe weather events and unusually prone to theft. Throughout the transition, AT&T has assured its customers that they will not lose vital voice or 911 services.

Impacts on Customers and Services

The phased discontinuation will affect both residential and commercial customers spread across 21 states, with the notable exception of California. Due to state laws aimed at protecting rural residents’ access to landlines, California’s Public Utilities Commission recently denied AT&T’s request to retire landline services within the state. This decision was largely influenced by concerns about the costs associated with maintaining the copper network infrastructure. Despite this, the broader implications for customers in most states suggest significant changes in how they access communication services. The anticipated switch to fiber networks promises highly enhanced speeds, greater reliability, and a network more resilient to adverse weather conditions.

AT&T believes that this transition aligns with an industry-wide trend toward adopting more modern, efficient fiber networks, which offer substantial benefits over legacy systems. Copper networks have been increasingly viewed as outdated, with a myriad of limitations that undermine their effectiveness. For example, copper lines can degrade over time, leading to unreliable service, especially in areas prone to extreme weather. The move to fiber is expected to address these shortcomings, providing customers with a steadier and more consistent service. Moreover, the push towards fiber is also seen as a measure to counter frequent instances of copper theft, which has become an increasing concern for utility companies.

Future Outlook and Broader Industry Trends

AT&T is set to retire its traditional copper wire-based landline phone service in the United States within the next five years, aiming for a complete shutdown of the aging infrastructure by 2029. This ambitious move is a key part of AT&T’s strategy to dramatically expand its faster, more reliable fiber networks, with a goal of reaching approximately 50 million locations. The company argues that its old copper services can no longer meet the modern demands for speed, reliability, and always-on connectivity. In addition to being inefficient, the current copper network is also unreliable during severe weather events and unusually susceptible to theft. As AT&T transitions away from copper, they have reassured their customers that critical voice and 911 services will remain available throughout the process. This change marks a significant step towards modernizing America’s telecommunications infrastructure, aligning with contemporary digital needs and ensuring more robust communication solutions for the future.

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