Verizon and AT&T Phase Out Copper Landlines in Midwest
Verizon and AT&T are retiring aging copper landline networks in Ohio and Wisconsin, sparking concerns over emergency service access for rural residents.
Telecommunications providers Verizon and AT&T are phasing out traditional copper-wire landline services across Ohio and Wisconsin to prioritize investment in fiber-optic and wireless technology. The Federal Communications Commission recently streamlined the approval process for retiring this infrastructure to accelerate high-speed network builds.
In Ohio, the transition affects approximately 270,000 households. Following public outcry, Verizon paused its initial filing to discontinue landlines, and the FCC flagged the application for further review. AT&T has stated its transition is a year-long process designed to ensure no customer loses access to voice or 911 services.
In Wisconsin, Verizon plans to discontinue service for roughly 3,500 residential and commercial addresses on or after November 16, while retiring 136 landline service centers statewide. Local officials in Oneida County warn that the Northwoods geography often blocks cellular and satellite signals, leaving copper lines as the sole means of communication for some residents. Concerns have specifically been raised regarding the functionality of Life Alert emergency systems in these remote areas.
Verizon maintains that the copper network is aging and costly to maintain, diverting resources from future investment. The company has pledged that it will not discontinue service for any customer if an FCC-approved voice replacement is unavailable.
