The Great Copper Retirement: A Time to Act!
In the fast-paced world of telecommunications, change is the only constant. And right now, one of the biggest changes on the horizon is the aggressive retirement of copper services by major carriers. If you're still relying on those trusty old copper lines, it's time to pay attention and act quickly to avoid any disruptions to your business operations.
Recent Developments: AT&T and Lumen Lead the Charge
Just this past quarter, AT&T announced that they will begin the process of aggressively retiring copper service across their 30-state footprint. “Within the next few weeks, we will make detailed filings with the FCC to stop selling legacy products at about 1,300 wire centers,” AT&T CEO John Stankey announced on the communications giant’s earnings call in January. AT&T operates 4,600 wire centers and central offices to which old copper phone lines connect. This will leave customers who aren’t prepared to migrate to alternative technologies scrambling. This move is part of a larger plan to decommission most of their copper networks by the end of 2029.
Meanwhile, Lumen has also made significant announcements. Starting May 1, 2025, Lumen will no longer accept move, add, or change orders for POTS services in the legacy CenturyLink territory, which spans 14 states. This means that if you're currently using POTS, you won't be able to make any changes to your service after this date, and only disconnect orders will be accepted. And we all know what happens next.
Why the Rush?
You might be wondering why there's such a rush to retire copper services. The answer is simple: copper networks are costly to maintain. By moving away from copper, carriers can focus on more advanced technologies that offer better performance and reliability.
What You Need to Do
If you're still using copper services, it's crucial to act now to avoid any service interruptions. Waiting until you receive a 30-day notification from your local provider could leave you scrambling to find a replacement solution. Here are some steps you can take to ensure a smooth transition:
I. Do what other vCom customers do: With vCom’s POTS Management as a Service offering, we provide customers a 3-step process:-
- Seamlessly migrate existing lines to vCom through a billing change.
- Identify line use to determine whether to disconnect or keep.
- Cancel unnecessary lines and migrate those you need to alternate technologies.
II. Explore alternative technologies: For lines you plan to keep, consider switching to POTS replacement solutions (vCom manages 4 different options from different providers to its customers). For fax lines, consider services like eFax which are very affordable and improve productivity. For voice lines, consider VoIP services with a copper hand-off. All these technologies offer the same functionality as traditional copper lines but with reliability and long-term availability.
III. Don't wait until the last minute to act: While this might seem daunting, it's also an opportunity to ensure business continuity while saving a bundle. So, take a deep breath, make a plan, and embrace the change. Your future self will thank you for it!
Reach out to a member of the vCom team to discuss your options and make a plan. They can help you understand the timeline and what steps you need to take.
Remember, the clock is ticking, and the sooner you act, the smoother your transition will be. Don't wait until it's too late—start exploring your options today and ensure your business stays connected and running smoothly.
