Operators: Time to double down on copper retirement

Copper retirement isn't just about regulatory compliance. Copper networks are just plain impractical to maintain, according to operators. The U.S. is only now getting the ball rolling on copper retirement reform, and it’s about time. AT&T, Lumen, and other operators have been trying to end carrier of last resort obligations in states where they want to shut down their copper networks. A COLR is required to offer basic telephone service to any customer who requests it. Notably, the FCC’s updated rules on copper retirement don’t affect COLR policy on the state level. In 2024, California rejected AT&T’s request to end its COLR obligation, as the state argued there’s no replacement provider available to offer copper-based service. The cost to maintain copper networks is is an issue, especially coupled with vandalism plaguing operators. And being forced to keep these networks running is a “disservice” to customers, said Ziply Fiber CEO Harold Zeitz, “because there are failure points that just cannot be solved.”