AT&T is retiring its old copper network, and the process is happening very fast. The latest report shows that just 1% of all AT&T customers are still using the legacy technology. That's a huge drop from December 2024, when 5% of residential customers were still using copper-based voice services.
AT&T is moving to wireless and fiber-optic technology
AT&T has a plan to retire copper networks and move customers to wireless or fiber-optic technology. | Image by PhoneArena
The report is part of a bigger plan to completely decommission AT&T's copper networks and move customers to wireless or fiber-optic technology. The projected date for the switch is 2030, but there are states where the transition has been far from smooth.
As anticipated, we are continuing to see a decline in the number of customers that are using our legacy services. That [number] is continuing to descale and customers are leaving [copper-based services] for many reasons, but preeminent among them is it's no longer meeting their needs for speeds and reliability.
- Susan Johnson, AT&T's senior EVP, transformation and global supply chain in an interview with Light Reading
The main reason for the switch is, unsurprisingly, the need for faster and more reliable service, as copper-based networks impose limits on speed and reliability. Meanwhile, AT&T has set up an alternative for legacy devices.
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The AT&T Phone-Advanced initiative
AT&T Phone-Advanced service supports legacy devices via wireless. | Image by AT&T
As part of the ongoing transition from copper-based networks to wireless and fiber optics, AT&T has set up something called AT&T Phone-Advanced, an alternative to the older telephone service that supports all legacy devices via wireless or fiber optics.
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This alternative supports modern features such as Caller ID, E911, fax, alarm systems, medical devices, and more.
AT&T has been focusing on bringing the technology to areas with wireless coverage or fiber-optic infrastructure first.
AT&T has already powered down 100 wire centers
AT&T already started shutting down wire centers. | Image by RCN Technologies
As part of the massive scaling of the operation, AT&T has already started powering down old wire centers; 100 are already down. AT&T has shut down copper-based networks in more than 500 communities covering 1.3 million locations across 18 states. The process should be completed next year, when the carrier expects to finalize the decommissioning in another 1,500 communities.
Hitting this first 100 wire centers with no customers left is important for us to prove out that this is working for our customers, and now we are leaning into further scale
- Susan Johnson, AT&T's senior EVP, transformation and global supply chain, to Light Reading
Back when the initiative started, AT&T had 4,600 wire centers. The service provider got FCC approval to shut down 30% of them by the end of 2026, but the situation in California is very different.
California will be stuck in the past longer
The plan is moving on a completely different path and timeframe in the state of California. | Image by SunPope
The plan to retire all copper-based networks is moving on a completely different path and timeframe in the state of California. There are a total of 615 wire centers in California, and 360 of them are expected to be decommissioned in areas with adequate wireless or fiber-optic coverage.
AT&T has pledged to build fiber to an additional 4 million-plus homes and businesses in California, bringing the total number of households and businesses in the state with new fiber-optic networks to 9 million. This covers more than half (60%) of AT&T's territory in California.
The process should start after June 1, 2027, according to the FCC.
Legal issues slowing the process down in California
AT&T is doing its best to speed up the process in California, but there are legal disputes with state regulators. Back in May, the carrier filed a lawsuit in California to challenge state requirements that are preventing the retirement of copper-based phone services in the state.
From where we sit today, we'll be in progress to start the discontinuance process, assuming all goes well, mid next year in California for these wire centers. But we have a path.
- Susan Johnson, AT&T's senior EVP, transformation and global supply chain
The company argues that these requirements are in conflict with the latest FCC rules designed to speed up copper network decommissioning.
The initial shutdown of the 360 wire centers could be affected, depending on how things go in court.
Saving a ton of power and space
Power savings will most likely go into AI data centers. | Image by Microsoft
The migration not only brings faster and more reliable service to AT&T customers but also comes with a lot of power savings. How much is "a lot?" According to the company, about 600,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) annually per wire center, or up to 2.76 billion kWh per year.
These huge power savings will most likely go to AI data centers, so don't celebrate just yet. Nevertheless, the copper-based network shutdown will offset that energy demand, which is something.
AT&T is also refurbishing copper; last year the company estimated that it had recycled 60 million pounds of copper.
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Mariyan, a tech enthusiast with a background in Nuclear Physics and Journalism, brings a unique perspective to PhoneArena. His childhood curiosity for gadgets evolved into a professional passion for technology, leading him to the role of Editor-in-Chief at PCWorld Bulgaria before joining PhoneArena. Mariyan's interests range from mainstream Android and iPhone debates to fringe technologies like graphene batteries and nanotechnology. Off-duty, he enjoys playing his electric guitar, practicing Japanese, and revisiting his love for video games and Haruki Murakami's works.
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