Copper line retirement: what to do before your phone lines are shut off

What copper line retirement means

Copper line retirement is when a phone company stops providing service over its copper network in an area and moves customers to fiber, wireless or internet-based service. Lines that run over copper, often called POTS lines (plain old telephone service), stop working once the copper is shut off.

• The rules now move faster. In March 2025 the FCC adopted orders that streamline how carriers discontinue copper and retire legacy voice services.
• Shutoffs have dates. A major carrier has FCC approval to begin discontinuing copper service in parts of 18 states starting November 15, 2026.
• Copper usually goes away in steps. Carriers often stop selling copper lines to new customers before they shut off service to existing ones.
• Your service may or may not change. The FCC notes that copper lines typically keep working during a power outage, while modern alternatives usually need backup power.

Some states add their own review before copper can be retired.

What is a POTS line?

Which lines to inventory

Most businesses and buildings have more copper lines than anyone has on a list. Start with recent phone bills, then walk the phone room, elevator machine rooms, alarm panels and front desk. Record each line's phone number, what it serves, the carrier and any contract terms.

Elevator emergency phone requirementsFire alarm phone line replacementCommercial intercom systems

How to find out if your lines are affected

• Read every letter and bill message from your phone company. Carriers must notify customers in writing before they discontinue, reduce or impair service.
• Ask your carrier about each line. Give it the phone numbers from your inventory and ask whether each one runs over copper and whether a discontinuance date is set for your address.
• Watch for FCC public notices. When a carrier files to discontinue service, the FCC issues a public notice that opens a comment period and usually sets the date the request can be granted automatically.
• Treat price increases and changes in status as warnings. A line that can no longer be added or changed is often on its way out.
• Ask your system vendors. Your alarm monitoring company and elevator service company may already know which of your lines are on copper.

Do not wait for a final notice. Notice rules eased in 2025 and differ by type of change, and replacing life-safety lines takes coordination with vendors and your local inspector.

What to ask before replacing each line

Every line serves something different, so ask these questions line by line:

• What does the device on this line need? A phone call, an alarm signal and a fax each work differently.
• Does the system's vendor support the replacement? Confirm it with the elevator, alarm, intercom or terminal vendor.
• Does the local inspector need to approve the change? Life-safety lines are subject to national and local codes and ordinances and the requirements of your local authority.
• What keeps it working during a power outage? Copper carried its own power; the replacement equipment needs battery backup.
• Does it need a second path? Life-safety systems may need a connection that does not depend on the building's internet.
• Does the phone number need to stay the same? Monitoring centers and phone systems may have the number on file.
• How will it be tested? Test each system end to end before the copper line is canceled.
• Who supports it after the switch? Know who answers when a line has a problem at night or on a weekend.

Keeping your phone numbers

You can usually keep your numbers when you move off copper. The FCC says that if you switch providers and stay in the same geographic area, you can keep your existing phone number, including when you move from a traditional line to internet-based service. This is called number porting.

Start service with the new provider first and let it request the port. Keep the old line in service until each number has moved and every system on it has been tested. When you switch to 5x5, you keep your business numbers and we help you port them.

How to keep your business phone number

How 5x5 Telecom handles copper line retirement

5x5 replaces copper lines for office phones and building systems, so one provider handles the whole move. For building systems such as elevators, alarm panels and water sensing, we find every line, confirm what each system needs with your vendors and local inspector, and replace each line with the right combination of VoIP adapters, cellular, LTE, 5G and internet connections, with battery backup. We work with your existing monitoring company, and every system is tested before its copper line is canceled.

For office phones, 5x5 business VoIP replaces copper lines with enterprise calling features. If you would rather keep the phone system you own, SIP trunking connects it to 5x5's voice service instead. You keep your numbers, and we help you port them. Our support team is US-based. During business hours, every ticket gets a first reply within 60 minutes. Outside business hours, including weekends and holidays, emergencies get the same 60-minute first reply.

POTS line replacementBusiness VoIPSIP trunking