Are American Companies Ready for Acceleration of Copper Cable Retirement?

Although the FCC’s accelerated phasing out of copper cables is a historic opportunity to drive technological upgrades, it poses urgent challenges for businesses in the short term. When critical communication systems fail (rather than ‘if’), businesses may feel isolated and helpless like they are stranded on a deserted island. The notification period for the closure of the central site may be as short as 90 days, and the longest may be no more than 180 days.
For decades, traditional telephone service (POTS) lines have been the official voice channel for many businesses to communicate externally. But little known is that they also support core systems related to operational safety, such as elevator communication, fire alarm lines, emergency calls/911, fax connections, and sales terminal systems.
These outdated copper cable networks are becoming increasingly expensive and unreliable. The monthly fee easily exceeded $1500- and this is just the beginning. Although the FCC issued a transformation signal as early as 2016, recent price hikes by operators such as AT&T and Lumen indicate that the era of copper cables is coming to an end, and upgrading critical communication facilities is urgent.

Regulatory environment undergoes drastic changes

The FCC’s decision to prioritize the development of new generation networks such as fiber optic and 5G means that the century old copper cable infrastructure will eventually exit the historical stage. This transformation requires immediate action from businesses and governments to ensure the continuous operation of critical infrastructure. Industries such as healthcare, retail, and government that still rely on copper cables must be led by facility managers and IT professionals to transform and build a more reliable and cost-effective future.
In March 2025, the FCC significantly relaxed four key regulations for copper cable retirement, including the requirement for operators to provide independent voice replacement services and allowing them to offer bundled solutions. The notification cost requirement has also been waived, further accelerating the process. The operator not only raised prices, but also issued a “reservation clause notice” – the existing copper cable lines cannot be expanded or modified, which clearly indicates that a comprehensive network outage is imminent. According to FCC regulations, once copper cable services are terminated in a certain region, companies have a minimum transition period of 90 days. If there is no contingency plan, they will be in trouble.

Beyond Voice: The Risk of Being Forgotten

The impact of copper cable withdrawal from the network far exceeds that of basic telephone lines. If the core system mentioned earlier is interrupted, it may expose the enterprise to security risks, high fines (such as delayed transmission of medical records in violation of the HIPAA Act), and facility access barriers. For example, non-compliance with the fire protection system may result in the fire department charging fines of $200-1000 per hour, causing the company to lose both resources and blood.
Due to the complexity of installation and the incompatibility of alarm systems from various vendors, it is difficult for enterprises to simply request operators to convert these systems. Wrong choices can lead to costly failed renovations, causing more delays and risks of non-compliance.

Dangerous Organic

The withdrawal of copper cables from the network is also an opportunity for enterprises to promote digital upgrading and shift towards more reliable and economical solutions. Successful transformation requires professional guidance to ensure compatibility, compliance, and minimize business interruption, helping businesses escape the ‘deserted island dilemma’.

In addition to avoiding risks, this reform provides opportunities for modernizing infrastructure and improving efficiency. To avoid being passive, companies should assess their dependence on copper cables, develop migration plans, and adopt advanced digital solutions. This not only ensures current operations but also prepares them for future challenges.