Is Your Copper Landline Going Away? The FCC's Tech Transition Checklist for Homes and Small Businesses
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How we wrote this: A plain-English summary of the FCC's Tech Transition: Modernizing Communications Services page and its emergency communications tips, checked October 29, 2026.
What's happening
Phone and internet companies are retiring aging copper-line networks in areas where fiber, mobile and fixed wireless, or satellite service can replace them. The FCC calls this the tech transition. It says copper networks first built for voice in the 19th century are costly to maintain, hard to repair and often less reliable in extreme weather.
FCC figures on the page:
- About 5% of U.S. households still have legacy copper phone service.
- Over 99.4% of homes and small businesses can get 4G or 5G mobile service.
- Over 97% can move to a fixed internet-based phone service (VoIP).
The FCC says your access to 911 and relay services is protected whatever technology you use.
Your rights before service ends
- Providers must notify customers and get FCC approval before discontinuing a service.
- Before ending copper voice service, they must make sure an adequate replacement is available, such as cable phone or 4G/5G mobile service.
- You can file comments or objections to a discontinuance plan at fcc.gov/notice.
- A company may stop selling an older service to new customers but keep existing ones as "grandfathered" customers, until it permanently discontinues the service.
Checklist if you still have a copper line
- Call your provider. Ask what's changing in your area, and when.
- Plan for power outages. A VoIP or fiber phone won't work in a power outage without backup power. Ask whether the provider offers backup batteries, then test, monitor and maintain them. Consider a generator or other safe power source, and keep a charged cell phone. A small UPS can also keep your modem and router running (see UPS sizing).
- Check new equipment. You may need a new modem, router or fiber terminal, which providers often install.
- Check other devices that use the line, which the FCC lists as medical monitoring systems, security and alarm systems, fax machines and credit card machines, with their makers or your provider.
- Compare options on the FCC's National Broadband Map.
For a business number, see porting your number and phone system options. Update your 911 address on any new VoIP line (see VoIP 911).