Verizon plans to end its copper-based traditional landline (POTS) service as early as Oct. 23 in New Jersey and Nov. 30 in New York. If the two discontinuance applications filed with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) are approved, copper-line subscribers in the affected areas will have to move to fiber-optic (Fios) voice service, a fixed wireless home phone or a cell phone. Because calls can drop during a power outage, battery backup is needed, and households and buildings that rely on medical alert devices or elevator emergency phones should check ahead of time.
Verizon is phasing out the traditional landline service it has provided over copper phone lines in New York and New Jersey. Under the first application (FCC WC Docket 26-227), which includes New Jersey, service could end as early as Oct. 23. Under the second, which includes New York, service could end as early as Nov. 30. Both are subject to FCC approval, but for the first application, the public comment period closed Sept. 10, and it will be approved automatically on Sept. 26 unless the FCC takes other action.
The New Jersey application was filed Aug. 10. It covers about 277,000 home and business lines in nine states, including New Jersey, Delaware, Virginia and Ohio, which is less than 2.25% of the areas where Verizon can provide copper-line phone service. The New York application was filed Sept. 9 and covers about 750,000 locations in nine states, including New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland and California, as well as Washington, D.C. Affected customers received notices on Aug. 10 and Sept. 8, respectively, and the actual disconnection date will be communicated separately by letter.
Does This Affect My Home Phone?
Only copper-line home phones are affected. Households that already use Fios fiber-optic phone service, a cable company's internet phone service or only cell phones are not affected. Verizon said it will cut copper lines only in areas where at least one of the following is available: fiber-optic voice service, fixed wireless home phone service or cell phone service. Areas with cable company phone service such as Optimum, Spectrum or Xfinity, or wireless service from AT&T or T-Mobile, are also considered to have replacement service. Copper-line subscriptions nationwide fell 81% between 2014 and 2024.
Calls May Drop During Power Outages; Check Your Battery Backup
Copper-line phones are powered through the phone line itself, so calls could be made even during a power outage, but replacement services do not work that way. Verizon says the battery backup for Fios Digital Voice and fixed wireless home phone service typically lasts up to 24 hours. Households and buildings that have connected medical monitoring devices such as pacemakers, elevator emergency phones or alarm systems to a landline should check in advance whether they are compatible with the new service. The New Jersey League of Municipalities (NJLM) has said copper-line phones remain an important means of communication in areas with poor cell phone coverage and has urged its member municipalities to submit comments to the FCC.
Verizon said in its notice that customers do not need to do anything right now. However, households that received the notice would be wise to contact Verizon customer service at 1-800-837-4966 and settle on a replacement service before they are told their disconnection date. Korean American seniors in particular should have their children check on their behalf.