Verizon is ending copper landlines: which states, and what to do
Verizon's two FCC applications, who is affected, and a checklist for replacing a copper landline or Verizon DSL.
Verizon has asked the FCC to retire copper landline service in parts of 18 states and Washington, D.C. The FCC paused automatic approval of the first application on Sept. 25, 2026; the second proposes starting on or after Nov. 30, 2026. Fios customers aren't affected. If you get a notice, check alarms and medical devices on the line, pick a replacement phone service and move off DSL to faster internet.
Some links on this page are affiliate links: We may earn a commission if you sign up or buy, at no cost to you. It never affects our rankings. For more information, see our Advertiser disclosure.
Updated Oct 28, 2026. FCC status can change; check your notice for your date.
What Verizon is doing
Verizon wants to stop selling traditional copper landline phone service, known as POTS (plain old telephone service), in parts of 18 states and Washington, D.C. It has filed two applications with the FCC. Verizon says the lines left on copper are a small share of its network, and that it will move those customers to fiber or wireless phone service. AT&T is doing the same in its states; see AT&T and Verizon copper landline shutoffs.
| Application | Areas (portions of) | Lines affected | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filed Aug 10, 2026 (WC Docket 26-227) | Arizona, Delaware, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia | About 277,000 | Was due for automatic approval Sept 26. On Sept 25 the FCC said it would not be granted automatically and needs more review. |
| Filed Sept 9, 2026, with Frontier companies | California, Connecticut, D.C., Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia | About 750,000 (2.7% of locations) | Pending. Proposed start on or after Nov 30, 2026. |
From the FCC filings as reported by DataRemote, Inside Towers and TheStreet, Sept 2026.
Who is affected
- Copper landline customers in the listed areas, including some Frontier copper customers.
- Verizon High Speed Internet (DSL) customers on the same copper lines. DSL is being retired alongside copper voice in many areas.
- Not affected: Fios customers, including Fios Digital Voice. Fios is already fiber. Verizon mobile and 5G Home customers aren't affected either.
Verizon says not every customer who gets a notice will lose service, and that it won't cut off copper where no suitable replacement is available.
What to do if you get a notice
- Read the dates. The letter should say when copper service ends at your address and what Verizon is offering instead.
- List everything on the line. Alarm systems, medical alert pendants, fax machines, elevator phones, gate entry boxes and some ATMs use copper lines. Ask each provider whether it works on fiber or wireless service.
- Pick a replacement phone service. Options include Verizon's fiber voice where Fios is available, a wireless home phone base, your mobile phone, or a VoIP service from your internet provider.
- Replace DSL with faster internet. Almost any replacement is faster than DSL. Check Fios and Verizon 5G Home at your address, plus cable, T-Mobile Home Internet and Starlink.
- Plan for power outages. Copper lines carry their own power; fiber and wireless phones need electricity. A battery backup keeps the phone working for a few hours.
- Keep your number. You can port your landline number to a mobile or VoIP provider.
Replacing Verizon DSL
| Option | Typical speed | Price | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon Fios | 300 Mbps to 5 Gig | From $30/mo | Fiber; only in Fios areas |
| Verizon 5G Home | 85–300 Mbps and up | From $50, $35 with a Verizon phone plan | Needs strong Verizon 5G at your address |
| Verizon Home Internet Lite | 10–25 Mbps | From $35 with a Verizon phone plan | Slows after 150 GB; for light use |
| Starlink | Roughly 50–250 Mbps | From $55/mo plus the dish | Works almost anywhere with a clear view of the sky |
Prices checked Oct 2026. Affiliate links marked with Verizon.
Your rights
- Providers must give advance notice before discontinuing service.
- You can comment on an FCC application while it's open. Search the docket number on the FCC's Electronic Comment Filing System.
- Your state utility commission may have its own rules on landline service. Contact it if you get a notice you think is wrong, or if no working replacement is offered.
What we'll update
We'll update this page when the FCC rules on either application or Verizon publishes new dates. If you're a Fios customer, nothing changes; see our Verizon Fios review.
FAQ
Is Verizon getting rid of landlines?
Verizon is retiring copper landline service in parts of 18 states and D.C., not every home phone. It plans to move those customers to fiber or wireless phone service, and says it won't end copper where no replacement is available.
Which states are affected by Verizon's copper retirement?
Portions of Arizona, Delaware, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah and Virginia in one application, and portions of California, Connecticut, D.C., Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania and West Virginia in a second.
When will Verizon end copper service?
The second application proposes starting on or after Nov 30, 2026. The FCC paused automatic approval of the first application on Sept 25, 2026 for more review. Your notice will give your date.
Does this affect Verizon Fios?
No. Fios is already fiber, including Fios Digital Voice.
What should I replace Verizon DSL with?
Check Fios, Verizon 5G Home, cable, T-Mobile Home Internet and Starlink at your address. Almost any of them is faster than DSL.
- DataRemote, "Verizon Files to Discontinue Copper POTS Across Nine States and D.C.," Sept 2026
- Inside Towers, "FCC Slows Verizon Copper Retirement Plans in Nine States," Sept 29, 2026
- TheStreet, "Verizon hits a snag in plan to retire an old phone service," Sept 2026 (FCC public notice of Sept 25)
- PCMag via Yahoo, "Verizon: Copper Landlines Won't Be Removed Without Working Alternative," Sept 2026
Prices and offers change often; confirm at your address before you order. How we research
Jean founded ShopHighSpeed after trying to find one straight answer about business internet in his own town. He has been a Comcast and Verizon Fios customer, and ranks providers on what they actually deliver, not on what they advertise.