Verizon seeks FCC approval to end copper landline service in 18 states

Verizon has asked the FCC to let it shut down copper landline service across 18 states and the District of Columbia, a move opposed by the Association of BellTel Retirees and Rep. Ben Cline. The dispute centers on emergency reliability, older Americans who rely on landlines, and whether the change would cut thousands of union technician jobs.

Why it matters: - The proposal would affect millions of Americans who still rely on copper landlines as a backup during storms, power outages and other emergencies. - The Association of BellTel Retirees says the change could hit older adults, rural residents and people with medical alert or home alarm systems tied to the copper network. - The dispute also raises labor concerns because the retiree group says the move would eliminate thousands of union technician jobs that maintain the system.

What happened: - Verizon petitioned the Federal Communications Commission to end copper landline service in 18 states and the District of Columbia. - The matter is before the FCC in WC Docket No. 26-227 and Docket No. 26-252. - The Association of BellTel Retirees, which says it represents 134,000 Verizon retirees and active employees, is opposing the petition. - BellTel Chair Thomas Steed sent a letter to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr and Commissioners Anna M. Gomez and Olivia Trusty. - Rep. Ben Cline (R-Va.) also opposed the proposal in a submission to the FCC. - The retiree group is urging leaders of the House and Senate subcommittees on telecommunications and media to reject the petition.

The details: - The affected states are Virginia, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah and West Virginia. - Steed called the filing “a cloaked attempt” to walk away from tens of thousands of union technicians and the infrastructure they maintain. - Steed said copper-wire, fiber and other connected landline services remain a “durable, 100-percent reliable solution,” especially in emergencies. - Steed argued the proposal ignores millions of older and vulnerable Americans, especially in rural areas where cell service is inconsistent. - Cline said wireline alternatives are less reliable during emergencies. - Cline also said some older adults and people on fixed incomes may not be able to replace medical alert or home alarm units linked to the copper system. - Cline said a replacement that works on paper but not at a specific address may not be a reasonable substitute. - Steed said landline ratepayers helped fund the research, development and build-out of satellites, cell towers and networks now used by Verizon and AT&T. - Steed said Verizon had $138 billion in revenues and AT&T had $146 billion in 2025. - Steed said Fiber to the Premise would be a suitable option for all Americans.

Between the lines: - The fight is not just about technology upgrades; it is also about whether carriers can retire legacy networks before every customer has a reliable replacement. - The opposition frames the filing as a public-safety issue for seniors and rural residents, while also casting it as a broader question of corporate responsibility to ratepayers and workers. - The FCC’s decision could set a precedent for how quickly legacy copper networks can disappear in other states.

What's next: - The FCC will review Verizon’s petition in the two docketed proceedings. - BellTel is pressing federal lawmakers and regulators to block the request. - Any FCC action could determine whether copper service continues in the listed states or is phased out on Verizon’s proposed timeline.