Rural Ohioans face landline shutdowns as carriers phase out copper
Approximately 270,000 Ohio households rely on traditional copper lines, which carriers are retiring due to high maintenance costs and new FCC rules.
By Priya Marino ·
Rural residents across Ohio are confronting the retirement of copper landlines, a move that threatens to isolate communities with poor cell and satellite coverage. The phaseout involves the removal of aging infrastructure that has connected many households for decades. As major carriers prepare to stop service, families in remote areas are left without reliable alternatives for communication or emergency access.
The shift began in August when Paul Feezel, a resident of Carrollton, received a letter from Frontier, a Verizon-owned provider. The notice stated that his landline would be shut off in the near future. Similar notices have been sent to customers of Verizon and AT&T across the state. Feezel lives in a valley about one mile from the main road, where the terrain blocks consistent cell signals and internet connections.
According to the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, roughly 270,000 Ohio households still use traditional landline connections. Verizon estimates that fewer than 3% of its national customers use copper service. Lauren Peterson, a Verizon spokesperson, explained that the copper network is up to 100 years old and costly to maintain. She noted that repairs are expensive due to a scarcity of copper, and the lines are vulnerable to weather and theft.
The FCC voted earlier this year to streamline the approval process for retiring this infrastructure. The agency cut back on paperwork to allow providers to invest in modern technologies like fiber. However, Hoomen Hedayati, a researcher with the Communications Workers of America, argued that the burden of proof has shifted from the company to the customer. Previously, providers had to prove a reliable replacement existed before ending service.
Jenny Westfall of the Buckeye Hills Regional Council said many older residents are asking how they will reach 911 or their doctors without a landline. She described the change as a safety and health risk for an already isolated population. In response, Peterson said Verizon is conducting location-by-location testing to ensure residents have other options. If no fiber or wireless service is available, customers will remain on copper lines.
Verizon has also introduced a plug-in technology that allows existing home phones to continue working without a new cellphone. AT&T spokesperson Kyle Loomis stated in an email that the company is working with customers to upgrade to newer, less expensive options. Loomis emphasized that no customer would be left without voice or 911 service during the year-long transition.
Verizon’s initial filing to discontinue landlines has been paused after residents filed public comments expressing concern. The FCC has flagged the application for further review. Peterson said the shutdown process will not begin until next year, pending final approval. Feezel recently received a second letter stating his service would not be impacted at this time, though he still advocates for stronger protections for rural neighbors.
