On September 29, USTelecom — The Broadband Association filed comments with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), urging regulators to accelerate the nation’s shift away from legacy copper telephone infrastructure and toward modern broadband networks.
USTelecom argues that outdated FCC rules, which still require providers to maintain copper facilities, drain billions of dollars that could otherwise be used to deploy higher-capacity networks. Copper systems, USTelecom noted, are increasingly vulnerable to theft, outages, and expensive upkeep.
“Americans deserve networks built for the future, not anchored to the past,” said Jonathan Spalter, USTelecom President and CEO. “By discontinuing obsolete copper infrastructure, broadband providers can invest more quickly and effectively in delivering next-generation services that are faster, more secure, and more resilient.”
While carriers frame copper retirement as pro-consumer modernization, critics warn that rural customers and those relying on alarm systems, fax machines, and medical alert devices could face disruption or higher costs during transitions.
Regulatory Momentum
USTelecom’s filing comes as the FCC continues to consider changes to its copper retirement and service discontinuance framework. In July, the Commission unanimously approved a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking aimed at simplifying the process for carriers to transition customers from legacy systems. The measure included proposals to streamline notification rules and reduce regulatory hurdles that can slow fiber deployments.
The FCC's own waiver order notes that over the past two years, the Commission processed more than 400 network change disclosure filings without receiving a single comment in opposition, suggesting either broad acceptance or lack of public awareness about the changes.
Other policy groups have also weighed in. The International Center for Law & Economics (ICLE), in separate comments, emphasized that mandatory copper maintenance represents a drag on investment and distorts competition. ICLE argued that reforms could unlock more efficient capital allocation toward technologies like fiber and fixed wireless.
The maintenance burden is substantial. In a 2023 rate case filing with the California Public Utilities Commission, AT&T argued that maintaining its legacy copper network across California alone costs the company over $1 billion annually, even though only 5% of its residential subscribers still use copper-based voice technology. The filing noted that copper theft, obsolete equipment no longer in production, and the need to operate regional wire centers for a shrinking customer base all contribute to escalating costs.
Whether the FCC ultimately greenlights faster copper retirement remains to be seen. For many communities, the question isn't if copper will disappear, but how soon.
