https://www.fiercetelecom.com/telecom/att-wants-cut-its-copper-footprint-half-2025
"AT&T executives revealed the operator is working to reduce its copper footprint by 50% by 2025 ... The operator plans to rollout wireless-based "catch products" in former copper markets where it doesn't deploy fiber to serve customers who might otherwise be left out in the cold due to its copper retirement plan, he added."
What little bit of lead we have(mostly in the UG duct runs) is still being used. Rocking some fancy copper uverse in it now and still keeping alive a few pots and specials here and there.
1930’s Lead cable finally retired from service….. just think of all the money wasted repairing this old plant!! What a waste of money and manpower…..
it’s half fallen down now, you mean we have to roll it up?
The "FCC has mandated" shutting down copper? Prove it !
While more well known, 3G isn’t the only essential, landmark technology that the big carriers will be closing down this year. The FCC has mandated the phasing out of older copper wire “Plain Old Telephone Service” – or POTS – lines by Aug. 2 of this year. POTS is an analog voice transmission phone system that has been in use across the world for decades, after evolving from the original POTS system that was invented in the 1880’s.
Some of the reductions will be done by complete abandonment…. Areas here have had copper cut off and no replacement services made available. They have access to other cell providers and T has decided that’s good enough.
To get my concession price I was forced off the GTE network and told that I had to go with SBC as a CLEC which was still copper. Also had to get a new telephone number and I bought SBC internet. GTE/Verizon plowed in Fiber but my service thru SBC stayed on copper. Click, Hiss, Humm, no service and all. Verizon/ATT/Frontier never would fix my slower than dial up HS internet - so I cancelled and went to TW.
Now get LL and SBC tried to get me to drop LL. In fact SBC sends someone around 4 times a year to force me to cellular. My brother was a 3rd level and promised a LL for life. When he moved into AT&T territory they said he longer qualifies for free LL so he went to Google Voice. This company is messed up.
This is true. Just another way to reduce work and layoff valuable CWA members. What are the odds that we just leave the customers on these "catch products" after we retire their copper lines?
Agree .... copper was always a bandaid. Instead of buying DTV, ATT should have used that money for a fiber build out ... could have done all customers at the time! I doubt they can abandon the copper - it will just go unused.
Lots of wasted cash over the years trying to use copper plant for HSI. Verizon got it right with their strategy early on with ftth. All while SBC stuck with fttc, big mistake.
This is not new news……copper must go.