As Verizon Proposes Transition Away From Copper Landlines, Schumer Demands Transparency, No Cost Hikes, And Reliable Service For Rural New Yorkers

Schumer Says Alternative Equipment Must Provide Reliable Emergency Service & 911 Access During Power Outages, Especially For Residents In Rural Communities With Limited Connectivity

Schumer To Verizon: Landlines Are Lifelines

As Verizon transitions away from copper-wire landlines, generating widespread confusion and concern for many New Yorkers, U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer today called on Verizon to ensure that all New Yorkers have uninterrupted, reliable service, are protected from higher costs, and will be provided transparency from the company about what any new, alternative technologies might mean for them, including their ability to contact emergency services and stay connected during power outages.

Verizon is currently seeking approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to discontinue legacy plain old telephone service (POTS) delivered over copper. Customers in New York who utilize copper-wire landlines, many of whom are seniors as well as residents of rural communities, are worried about what this means for the reliability and accessibility of service. Schumer demanded answers from Verizon and said the company must engage with residents to ensure there are no safety, reliability, and connectivity challenges.

“As Verizon moves to transition away from copper landlines, Upstate New Yorkers are concerned about losing a vital connection. They deserve clear answers about what this means for their ability to stay connected and make ends meet. That’s why I’m turning up the volume on Verizon, demanding transparency, affordability, and a commitment to working with communities to make sure this critical service is not interrupted for customers now connected via copper landlines,” said Senator Schumer.“Verizon must guarantee that this transition will not mean higher costs—especially for seniors, residents on fixed incomes, or small businesses—and that any alternative options will provide reliable service to contact emergency services, including during power outages. This is crucial in rural Upstate communities where there are limited connectivity options.”

Verizon is currently transitioning away from copper-wire landlines, which can be expensive and time-consuming to repair, according to the company, towards other alternatives like fiber, fixed wireless, cellular wireless, and satellite. Currently, the company is sending notices to customers in New York and across the country who still use copper landlines. As New Yorkers receive these letters, many residents are worried they will lose service, not have a reliable connection during a time of need, or be forced to pay more if the FCC approves this change. Schumer underscored that for seniors, landlines are lifelines, and that modernizing Verizon’s network should not come at the cost of small businesses and those on fixed incomes.

In addition, across Upstate New York, residents in rural communities continue to rely on traditional copper landlines as a critical lifeline during natural disasters and other emergencies. Traditional POTS can remain operational during power outages because the line is powered from the telephone network, rather than solely from electricity in a home. Traditional copper service provides a well-established fixed connection to a specific service address, while replacement technologies can introduce additional questions about wireless coverage, power backup, indoor signal strength, network congestion, and the performance of connected devices during emergencies. For many rural households, cell service is unreliable, and newer, modern infrastructure alternatives like fiber may not yet reach their homes or communities. These reliable landlines are vital for seniors and rural residents to ensure they can contact emergency services when they need them most, especially in areas with weak or nonexistent cellular coverage or access to broadband.

Schumer also described how, according to local fire inspectors, there are many small businesses and restaurants that still use copper landlines for their fire alarm dialups. This change could cost these small businesses thousands of dollars to transition to new alternatives, such as cell or internet dialups, depending on the size of the system they need. Some small businesses have or are actively transitioning, but those that have not could potentially face compliance violations and increased costs associated with the change.

Schumer explained that Verizon has filed two separate applications seeking authority to discontinue legacy copper-based POTS service. The first covers portions of nine states. A second application filed on September 9 covers portions of nine additional states, including New York, as well as the District of Columbia. Schumer is also urging the FCC to extend the review timeline of the second application, which applies to New York, to ensure that the proposal can be fully assessed and that customers can be directly informed by Verizon as to what any potential changes at their home or business might mean for them.

The Communications Workers of America (CWA) has opposed the FCC’s Network Modernization Order under Chairman Brendan Carr, in which the Commission removed essential protections under Section 214, eliminated traditional network change filings, greenlit replacement alternatives such as basic 5/1 Mbps mobile wireless or third-party voice, and preempted state and local regulations that impede service discontinuance. CWA, consumer advocates, and local officials are concerned that dismantling oversight without enforceable protections applicable to major carriers threatens service reliability, 911 emergency access, backup power during outages, and telecommunications jobs.

Schumer’s letter to Verizon can be found HERE or below:

Dear Mr. Schulman,

I write today amid reports that Verizon is seeking approval from the Federal Communications Commission to phase out traditional copper-based landline service. Many residents across New York have already begun receiving notices about the transition from copper to other alternatives and are concerned about what these changes will mean for them.

Across Upstate New York, many areas and rural communities have weak or nonexistent cellular coverage or access to broadband. Copper landlines have been essential for rural and senior citizens to stay connected and access help, keep small businesses up and running, and help New Yorkers stay connected in cellular dead zones as well as during power outages.

As Verizon begins to transition away from copper landlines for modern alternatives like fiber or wireless, I implore you to ensure no household sees their service interrupted or costs increased. Furthermore, I request a written response to the following questions that have been raised by constituents and community leaders:

1. Will Verizon physically test service at the customer’s premises—or is it relying solely on FCC coverage maps, carrier coverage maps, or database information?
2. What does Verizon consider to be an “equivalent replacement” for a plain old telephone service copper landline?
3. How will the viability of new technologies—such as fiber, wireless, and satellite—be assessed for each address in New York?
4. What is the specific process that Verizon follows when determining if an equivalent replacement is an adequate alternative?
5. Will the replacement remain available during severe weather, extended power outages, cellular network congestion, many calling 911 simultaneously?
6. Will Verizon certify that each proposed replacement technology is compatible with fire alarm communicators, medical alert systems, elevator emergency phones, security systems, fax machines, and other equipment currently connected to copper POTS?
7. How and when will customers be informed of Verizon’s determination regarding whether their residence is equipped to receive an equivalent replacement service?
8. How can customers challenge Verizon’s determination that an equivalent replacement is an adequate alternative?
9. Will Verizon commit to not disconnecting copper connections while a customer is actively disputing the adequacy of the replacement?
10. If replacement equipment fails, and telephone service becomes unable, what is Verizon’s restoration time?
11. How long will Verizon’s replacement service—including battery backup—remain operational during a power outage?
12. What will the total cost to the customer be when the copper landline service is replaced—including all charges, equipment, taxes, installation, activation, battery back-ups, wiring, early termination, bunded-service requirements, and fees?
13. Will Verizon guarantee that customers will not pay more for the replacement service than they currently pay for their plain old telephone landline?
14. Will the price be guaranteed for a specific period of time, or can Verizon increase the rate after the customer is forced to transition?
15. Will customers have an opportunity to demonstrate that the replacement is inadequate based on actual service conditions at their address?
16. Will Verizon commit to conducting additional outreach to rural communities, seniors, customers with disabilities, and small businesses that may have greater difficulty transitioning from copper-based service?

While I am encouraged to see Verizon promise continued service to those without FCC-approved alternative equipment, I urge you to transparently engage with customers and work diligently to ensure that customers have all the information they need regarding this proposal. I appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to your response.