AT&T and Verizon begin copper phone and DSL shutdowns this weekend

Copper networks start to close this weekend

AT&T has regulatory approval to begin discontinuing traditional copper phone service in designated areas from 15 November 2026, according to Cord Cutters News. Verizon will start similar steps in approved regions on 16 November.

The dates mark a significant stage in the industry's long-planned move away from decades-old copper lines towards fibre-optic and wireless alternatives, including home phone services that run over 5G networks. Both carriers are also retiring DSL internet, which travels over the same copper wiring, in the affected areas.

Where Verizon is acting first

Verizon is proceeding under separate approvals. Customer notices indicate that copper landline service can end on or after 16 November in eight states: Florida, Indiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, Texas and Wisconsin. Several of these cover territory formerly served by Frontier Communications.

The company has further applications pending or under review for parts of other states and the District of Columbia, some with earliest dates later in the month. Verizon has said it will not cut off service where an adequate replacement is unavailable, and will keep copper connections running until suitable alternatives exist.

What replaces the old lines

Both carriers are directing remaining copper customers to newer services. AT&T is promoting AT&T Phone–Advanced, which uses a small on-site device connected through cellular networks or broadband, alongside fibre and standard wireless plans.

Verizon is offering comparable fibre and fixed-wireless or 5G home phone options.

According to Cord Cutters News, the carriers stress that the retirement of copper lines is happening gradually and location by location, not as one nationwide switch-off, and that affected customers receive advance written notice.

Why the carriers are moving on

The copper networks were installed over many decades and have become increasingly expensive to maintain. The carriers point to frequent equipment failures, longer repair times than fibre or wireless systems, and vulnerability to weather damage and copper theft.

Customer usage has fallen sharply over the years, so the cost of supporting the old infrastructure no longer matches modern network demands. Once the transition is complete, the newer technologies generally offer better reliability, faster repairs and lower energy use.

Who is affected and what to do next

The changes mainly affect the shrinking number of households and businesses still using traditional landlines, including many older adults and people in rural or hard-to-serve areas. Equipment that depends on copper lines, such as elevator phones, fire alarms, security panels and point-of-sale systems, needs proactive replacement planning.

The carriers have committed to keeping voice and emergency calling available, but customers must adopt new equipment and sometimes different service arrangements. Anyone who receives a notice is advised to check the dates and options listed for their location, compare fibre or wireless alternatives in their area, and complete any upgrades before the authorised discontinuance date.

The weekend milestones are the latest phase of a multi-year industry effort that has sped up under streamlined FCC processes for approving copper retirements.