What Is Happening with Verizon’s Copper Landline Service?
As of September 2026, the FCC has paused Verizon’s application to discontinue copper-based landline phone service in portions of nine states, pulling it from the automatic approval track for a full review. Verizon filed to retire legacy TDM voice service affecting approximately 277,000 residential and business lines in Arizona, Delaware, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah, and Virginia, with a proposed effective date on or after November 30, 2026.
What the FCC did: On September 25, 2026, the FCC released public notice DA 26-1038, removing the application from the automatic grant process and requiring a full merits review.
Which states are affected: Arizona, Delaware, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah, and Virginia.
What this means for businesses: The retirement is paused, not denied. Businesses on copper lines in these states should begin evaluating replacement phone service now rather than waiting for a final decision.
What Verizon Filed and Why
On August 10, 2026, Verizon and its ILEC affiliates filed a Section 214 application with the FCC requesting authority to discontinue residential and business legacy TDM-based voice service, commonly known as POTS (plain old telephone service), in portions of nine states. The application covers approximately 277,000 remaining copper voice lines, according to reporting from Yahoo Finance and multiple county government public notices.
Verizon’s stated rationale is straightforward: maintaining the copper network costs billions of dollars annually, and the vast majority of voice traffic has already migrated to IP-based service. FCC data from May 2025 shows that 80.2 percent of business wireline voice service in the United States is already IP-based. The copper infrastructure serves a shrinking portion of customers while consuming a disproportionate share of maintenance investment.
This is not the first carrier retirement of copper service. The FCC granted AT&T’s request to discontinue copper voice services at more than 184,000 locations in California in June 2026. However, the California Public Utilities Commission has since appealed that decision to the FCC Commissioners. The Verizon application covers a broader geographic scope across nine states, which may explain why the FCC pulled it from automatic approval for closer review.
Does the Verizon Copper Retirement Affect My Business?
If your business uses a copper-based landline from Verizon or a Verizon affiliate (including former Frontier operating areas) in Arizona, Delaware, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah, or Virginia, this application directly affects your phone service. The retirement would require you to transition to an alternative voice service before your copper line is disconnected.
Verizon has stated that it will not discontinue a customer’s copper voice service if that customer lacks access to a replacement service. However, “access to a replacement service” does not mean Verizon will provide the replacement for free or at the same price. It means an alternative exists in your area. For most business locations, the alternatives are fiber-based phone service from Verizon (Fios), a cloud-based VoIP phone system, or a wireless solution.
Businesses that are not in the affected states still have reason to pay attention. AT&T has already retired copper in parts of California and other states. The copper retirement trend is industry-wide, and the FCC has been granting these applications on a rolling basis since 2020. Whether your specific copper line is in this application or the next one, the direction is the same. We work with businesses across the country that are making this transition, and the ones that plan ahead avoid the service interruptions that come with a forced switch.
Why the FCC Paused the Application
The FCC released public notice DA 26-1038 on September 25, 2026, stating that Verizon’s application “will not be automatically granted” and that the Commission “requires additional time to complete its review.” The FCC emphasized that pulling the application from automatic grant is not a denial. It is a procedural step that triggers a more detailed review of the merits.
The pause came after significant public opposition. Multiple county and state government offices in Virginia published notices encouraging residents and businesses to submit comments to the FCC before the September 10, 2026 deadline. Concerns centered on three issues: emergency 911 service reliability during power outages (copper lines carry their own power, VoIP and fiber do not), lack of adequate replacement service in rural areas, and the speed of the proposed transition.
For businesses, the practical consequence of the pause is additional time. The original timeline would have allowed Verizon to begin disconnecting copper lines as early as November 30, 2026. That date is no longer operative while the FCC reviews the application. However, the pause does not change the direction of the transition. Copper retirement is happening across every major carrier. The question for businesses is not whether to switch, but when and to what.
What Are the Alternatives to a Copper Business Landline?
Businesses moving off copper have three primary replacement options. The right choice depends on your location, call volume, and whether you need features beyond basic dial tone. Here is how the alternatives compare for a typical small business.
| Feature | Cloud VoIP | Carrier Fiber | Wireless/Cellular |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost per line | $18.99 to $27.99 | $35 to $75 | $40 to $60 |
| Setup time | 1 business day | 2 to 4 weeks | 1 to 3 days |
| Number porting | Yes, 5 to 10 business days | Yes | Yes, if supported |
| Auto attendant | Included in mid/upper tiers | Often an add-on | Rarely available |
| Call recording | Included | Varies, often extra | Not standard |
| HIPAA compliance | Available (provider-dependent) | Varies | Generally no |
| Works during power outage | Requires internet/battery backup | Requires power | Yes, with cell signal |
For most small businesses, a cloud VoIP system offers the best combination of cost, features, and speed of deployment. The most affordable VoIP options start under $19 per user per month and include features that copper lines never offered, such as auto attendant, call recording, voicemail to email, and the ability to take calls from a mobile app or web browser. For businesses in healthcare or other regulated industries, HIPAA-compliant VoIP is available and costs no more than standard service.
If your business is still on a copper landline, or if you know the switch is coming, we can set up your new VoIP system in one business day and port your existing number so your customers never notice the change.
How to Switch from Copper to VoIP
Whether Verizon’s retirement is approved next month or next year, moving off copper is a when-not-if decision. Here is the process for transitioning a business phone line from copper to a cloud VoIP system without service disruption.
- Confirm your current service type. Check your phone bill or call your provider to verify whether your line is copper TDM, fiber, or already IP-based. Many businesses assume they are on copper when their provider has already converted the backend.
- Choose a VoIP provider and plan. Evaluate providers based on your call volume, feature needs, and compliance requirements. A single-location office with 2 to 5 users needs a different plan than a multi-site business with call queues and recording.
- Request a number port. Porting your existing business number to a new VoIP provider typically takes 5 to 10 business days. Start this process before canceling your copper service. If you need a new number, learn how to get a VoIP phone number in minutes.
- Set up your VoIP system. Most cloud VoIP systems can be configured and operational in one business day. Plug in a desk phone, download the mobile app, or use the web interface. No new wiring or hardware installation is required for a basic setup.
- Test before you cancel. Run your VoIP system alongside your copper line for a few days. Confirm call quality, verify that your number has ported correctly, and test any features you rely on, such as call forwarding, voicemail, or auto attendant.
- Cancel your copper service. Once your VoIP system is confirmed working and your number port is complete, contact your copper provider to disconnect. Keep your final bill for records in case of any billing disputes during the transition.
Common Concerns About Leaving Copper
The most common concern we hear from businesses considering the switch is reliability during power outages. Copper landlines carry their own electrical current, which means they work even when the power is out. VoIP and fiber-based systems require internet connectivity and electrical power. For businesses in areas prone to outages, a battery backup or a cellular failover solution addresses this gap. Most modern VoIP systems also support call forwarding to a mobile number, which means incoming calls reach you even if your office internet is down.
The second concern is call quality. Early VoIP systems had a reputation for dropped calls and latency. In 2026, with widespread broadband access and modern codec technology, call quality on a properly configured VoIP system is indistinguishable from a traditional phone line. The key variable is your internet connection. A standard business broadband connection with at least 100 Kbps of bandwidth per concurrent call handles VoIP without any quality issues.
The third concern is cost. Many businesses on copper are paying $35 to $75 per line per month for basic dial tone with no features. A cloud VoIP plan with affordable business phone pricing starts at $18.99 per user per month and includes features like call recording, auto attendant, texting from your business number, and mobile app access. For most businesses, the switch reduces the phone bill while adding functionality.
The Bigger Picture for Business Phone Service
Verizon’s application is one step in a transition that has been underway for over a decade. AT&T has retired copper in parts of 21 states. The FCC has approved hundreds of Section 214 applications since 2020. The copper network is being decommissioned because maintaining it is no longer economically sustainable, and the vast majority of voice traffic, over 80 percent for business lines, already runs over IP.
For businesses that have not yet made the switch, the FCC’s pause on Verizon’s application provides additional time, not a reprieve. The most common mistake we see is waiting until a disconnection notice arrives and then scrambling to set up a replacement system under pressure. A planned transition gives you time to port your number, test the new system, and train your team. A forced transition does not. Businesses that move now choose their provider and their timeline. Businesses that wait have both chosen for them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Verizon shutting off copper landlines in 2026?
Verizon filed to retire copper voice service in nine states, with a proposed date of November 30, 2026. The FCC paused the application on September 25, 2026, for additional review. The retirement is not approved, but it is not denied either. Businesses should prepare for the transition regardless of the final timeline.
Which states are affected by Verizon’s copper retirement?
The application covers portions of Arizona, Delaware, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah, and Virginia. Not every location in these states is affected. The application targets areas where Verizon or its affiliates currently provide copper-based TDM voice service.
Can I keep my business phone number when switching from copper to VoIP?
Yes. Number porting allows you to transfer your existing business phone number to a VoIP provider. The process typically takes 5 to 10 business days. You should initiate the port before canceling your copper service to avoid any gap in availability.
Does VoIP work during a power outage?
VoIP requires internet connectivity and electrical power, so it will not function during a power outage without a backup solution. Options include battery backups, cellular failover, and call forwarding to a mobile device. Most businesses address this with one or more of these safeguards.
How much does it cost to switch from a copper landline to VoIP?
Cloud VoIP plans for small businesses start at $18.99 per user per month, compared to $35 to $75 per line for copper service. Setup fees are typically minimal, and most VoIP systems can be operational within one business day using existing internet connections and web or mobile apps.
Is VoIP phone service HIPAA compliant?
Some VoIP providers offer HIPAA-compliant service, which is required for healthcare practices that handle protected health information over the phone. Not all providers meet this standard. Verify HIPAA compliance with your VoIP provider before switching if your business operates in healthcare.
What happens if Verizon retires my copper line and I do nothing?
If the FCC approves the retirement and your copper line is disconnected, you lose your business phone service and potentially your phone number. Verizon has stated it will not disconnect customers who lack access to a replacement service, but you would still need to set up an alternative to continue receiving calls.
Next Steps
Check your current phone bill to confirm whether your business runs on copper. If it does, start evaluating VoIP providers now while the FCC review is ongoing. Porting your number, testing the system, and training your team are all easier when you are not working against a disconnection deadline. If you need help understanding what plan fits your business, our team can walk you through the options.
Switch from copper to cloud VoIP on your timeline, not Verizon’s. We handle the setup, the number port, and the training so your business never misses a call.