FCC halts Verizon's plan to remove "Plain Old Telephone Service" in several States

A bit more than a week ago we told you that Verizon had asked the FCC for permission to discontinue what is known as "plain old telephone service (POTS)" over copper for customers who have access to an FCC-approved replacement service such as fiber or wireless service.

Verizon wanted more of its customers to be able to access the latest wireless technology

The goal is to have more Americans connected to high-speed wireless and fiber. Verizon had sought permission to replace the copper in nine states and the carrier was hoping to obtain this permission as soon as possible.

The nine states that Verizon requested FCC permission to remove “POTS” from include:

• Arizona
• Delaware
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• Ohio
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• Utah
• Virginia

The faster the FCC gave the wireless provider, in this case Verizon, permission to dismantle its copper network, the faster it can offer certain services to its customers that demand lower latency and the fast data speeds not available via copper connectivity.

Verizon expected to get the FCC approval this weekend

Verizon expected to receive the approval from the FCC to remove the copper on Saturday, but the regulatory agency decided that it needs additional time to study the proposal from Verizon so it can figure out whether the consumers and communities impacted by the loss of copper networks have a legitimate complaint.

The FCC decides not to automatically approve Verizon's request

Some of the FCC statement noted that Verizon’s application will not be automatically approved. The regulatory agency made it clear that the ruling is not the last word on Verizon’s request. "We emphasize that our removal of Verizon’s application from the automatic grant process is also not a final determination on the merits of Verizon’s request for authority to discontinue service," the FCC said.

Considering the advanced services consumers receive from using fiber or wireless over copper, such as massive speed improvements and lower latency, you might wonder why any Verizon subscriber would complain about removing the copper network. But in some remote parts of the country, there is concern that removing the copper network would leave an inferior wireless network. That’s because in somne locationsmVerizon’s network has issues reaching remote areas far from traditional cell towers.

Verizon tells the FCC that it won't replace copper in some areas

Last week, before the FCC announced its decision, Verizon sent a letter to the agency stating that it won’t replace the copper network in areas where the carrier’s alternatives fall short.

The FCC did get approval in several states to replace the copper related to payphones and low-speed business services

Meanwhile, it appears that the FCC did grant Verizon the approval to replace the copper-based services related to “legacy, low-speed business services” such as payphone service and business dial tone line.

Earlier this month, Verizon filed another application seeking permission to remove the copper networks serving these states and the District of Columbia:

• California
• Connecticut
• District of Columbia,
• Illinois
• Maryland
• Massachusetts,
• Michigan
• New York
• Pennsylvania
• West Virginia

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