The copper landline phase out has begun and now is the time to start thinking about your elevator phone.
Landlines and other emergency lines that rely on copper for communication will need to seek an alternative. The phase out of copper phone lines is a gradual process that will likely take several years to complete. However, it is clear that copper phone lines are a dying technology, and more modern alternatives will eventually replace them.
Here are some specific examples of areas where copper phone lines are being phased out:
- AT&T has announced plans to phase out copper phone lines in several states, including California, Illinois, and Michigan.
- Verizon has also announced plans to phase out copper phone lines in some areas.
- Frontier Communications is phasing out copper phone lines in rural areas where it is not cost-effective to maintain the infrastructure.
Why are copper phone lines being phased out?
Copper phone lines are being phased out in many areas of the United States as telecommunications companies move to more modern technologies, such as cellular (we suggest cellular for elevator lines), fiber, and VoIP. This transition is happening for several reasons, including:
- Increased demand for broadband internet access: Copper phone lines are not well-suited for providing high-speed internet access, which is increasingly in demand for communications.
- Decreased demand for traditional phone service: The use of traditional landline phone service has declined significantly in recent years, as people have switched to mobile phones. This has made it less cost-effective for telecommunications companies to maintain copper phone lines.
- Improved reliability of alternative technologies: Newer technologies like cellular are more reliable than copper phone lines, which are susceptible to outages caused by weather damage and other factors.
California copper landline phase-out
AT&T plans to complete its phaseout of traditional copper-wire landline service for residential customers in California by the end of 2025. The company has already begun the process in several areas of the state, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego.
If you are an elevator owner in California, you should consider a cellular plan with Destra Business Services. Our Mobile Connect 2 device interfaces directly with existing elevator phone equipment, is cost-effective at $39 per month and is more secure than your current copper connection.
