Major Changes Coming to Copper Lines
This year has seen significant transformations in AT&T’s POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) lines—changes that businesses cannot afford to overlook. AT&T has started phasing out its copper network, and in many areas, it has already stopped accepting new orders, service moves, or changes for POTS lines. Customers are now receiving notifications that these services will be fully discontinued over the next few years, while the cost of maintaining existing lines continues to rise.
For businesses that rely on analog lines—such as those supporting phones, alarm systems, elevators, or fax machines- this shift poses serious operational risks. We assist organizations in identifying these vulnerabilities and transitioning to more reliable, cost-effective alternatives, often without requiring a complete system overhaul.
Major carriers are accelerating the phase-out of copper-wire infrastructure, with full retirement expected by 2027. Now is the right time to move away from analog faxing and legacy phone systems. Delaying until a final disconnect notice arrives could leave your business scrambling to maintain critical communications.
Key Changes to Be Aware Of
Service Freeze: Starting as early as October 2025, AT&T will no longer accept new orders or modifications for copper-based lines in many regions. If a line fails, repair or replacement may not be possible. –
Forced Migration: The transition away from copper is mandatory. Businesses relying on these lines will lose service as the decommissioning process progresses. Rising Costs: As carriers reduce support for aging infrastructure, businesses are facing steep and unpredictable price increases.
We are trying to prevent the classic “emergency upgrade” scenario—nothing moves a decision-maker faster than a total system blackout. It’s a perfect example of why clinging to analog POTS lines is a losing bet.
Paul Donahue
O 716-854-4122 x230
C 716-864-9729