Verizon’s Network Modernization: Built for What’s Next

The way people connect is changing, and we’re changing with it. Across the country, Verizon is modernizing our networks and transitioning customers from legacy copper infrastructure to modern communications technologies built for how people live, work, and stay safe today. Whether you’re a residential customer, a small business, or an organization that depends on a Verizon line, we’ve built this process with you in mind.

Explore our FAQs to learn more.

Verizon sent letters to customers who receive voice service over copper as part of its application to the FCC to modernize its network.

Verizon, on behalf of its Verizon and Frontier affiliates, is seeking authority to discontinue what is known as plain old telephone service (“POTS”) over copper for customers who have access to an FCC-approved replacement service such as fiber or wireless service.

Not until an FCC-approved replacement service is available at your location.

If your copper service will be impacted, we will mail you a letter well in advance. It will provide all the details you need, along with a clear timeline to help you smoothly transition to an FCC-approved service option.

Absolutely not. Customers will continue to have access to reliable voice service, including for emergency communications, during and following the completion of this effort. We will work with customers directly to find these alternatives and ensure they stay connected. Before reaching out to our customers with transition details, we will verify that an FCC-approved replacement voice service is available at the customer’s location. 

We will not discontinue your existing copper voice service if you do not have access to an FCC-approved replacement service option.

Yes. You can port your phone number to either another Verizon service option or another service provider.

Replacement options may include service over fiber-optic lines in some areas, and in other areas Verizon  may offer a replacement service that provides a reliable landline experience using the customers’ existing phone on our wireless network.  Additional solutions, such as VoIP,  or other wireless options may be available.   We are proud to have built the nation’s best wireless network, setting the highest bar for quality and reliability. Our wireless network covers 99% of the U.S. population.

Yes. Customers are free to explore the numerous other service alternatives available.

Emergency services, including 911 services, will continue to perform seamlessly over our modern networks.

We are seeking to invest in the future by replacing copper-based services with more modern, capable, resilient, and secure alternatives. Maintaining an aging, parallel copper network diverts crucial resources away from future investment. Copper infrastructure is many decades old, highly vulnerable to severe weather, and an increasing target for theft and vandalism. This network is not capable of supporting the robust, data-intensive uses that today’s customers demand. Every dollar spent patching the old copper network is a dollar diverted from building the robust, modern networks that residents actually want and will use. Transitioning to modern technologies will allow Verizon to improve reliability, reduce unnecessary network duplication, lower environmental impacts, and recycle valuable materials for productive use.