As Verizon transitions away from copper-wire landlines, generating widespread confusion and concern for many New Yorkers, U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer called on Verizon to ensure that all New Yorkers have uninterrupted, reliable service; are protected from higher costs; and will receive transparency from the company about what any new, alternative technologies might mean for them, including their ability to contact emergency services and stay connected during power outages.

Verizon is currently seeking approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to discontinue legacy plain old telephone service (POTS) delivered over copper. Customers in New York who utilize copper-wire landlines, many of whom are seniors as well as residents of rural communities, are worried about what this means for the reliability and accessibility of service. Schumer demanded answers from Verizon and said the company must engage with residents to ensure there are no safety, reliability and connectivity challenges.

Verizon is currently transitioning away from copper-wire landlines, which can be expensive and time-consuming to repair, according to the company, toward other alternatives like fiber, fixed wireless, cellular wireless and satellite. Currently, the company is sending notices to customers in New York and across the country who still use copper landlines. As New Yorkers receive these letters, many residents are worried they will lose service, not have a reliable connection during a time of need, or be forced to pay more if the FCC approves this change. Schumer underscored that for seniors, landlines are lifelines, and that modernizing Verizon’s network should not come at the cost of small businesses and those on fixed incomes.

In addition, across upstate New York, residents in rural communities continue to rely on traditional copper landlines as a critical lifeline during natural disasters and other emergencies. Traditional POTS can remain operational during power outages because the line is powered from the telephone network, rather than solely from electricity in a home. Traditional copper service provides a well-established fixed connection to a specific service address, while replacement technologies can introduce additional questions about wireless coverage, power backup, indoor signal strength, network congestion, and the performance of connected devices during emergencies. 

For many rural households, cell service is unreliable, and newer, modern infrastructure alternatives like fiber may not yet reach their homes or communities. These reliable landlines are vital for seniors and rural residents to ensure they can contact emergency services when they need them most, especially in areas with weak or nonexistent cellular coverage or access to broadband.

Schumer described how, according to local fire inspectors, there are many small businesses and restaurants that still use copper landlines for their fire alarm dial-ups. This change could cost these small businesses thousands of dollars to transition to new alternatives, such as cell or internet dial-ups, depending on the size of the system they need. Some small businesses have or are actively transitioning, but those that have not could potentially face compliance violations and increased costs associated with the change.

Schumer explained that Verizon has filed two separate applications seeking authority to discontinue legacy copper-based POTS service. The first covers portions of nine states. A second application filed on September 9 covers portions of nine additional states, including New York, as well as the District of Columbia. Schumer is also urging the FCC to extend the review timeline of the second application, which applies to New York, to ensure that the proposal can be fully assessed and that customers can be directly informed by Verizon as to what any potential changes at their home or business might mean for them. 

Schumer’s letter to Verizon can be found at www.schumer.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/ltr_to_verizon_re_copper_landlines.pdf.

Office of Sen. Chuck Schumer
Washington, D.C.