The clock has officially started ticking on the end of traditional copper phone lines — and the change is happening faster than expected.
Effective October 15: AT&T Ends Moves, Adds, and Changes for POTS Lines
AT&T has accelerated its plans to retire legacy copper infrastructure. Beginning October 15, the carrier will no longer accept new orders, moves, adds, or changes for Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) lines across 66% of its network.
This move comes years ahead of the previously expected 2029 sunset, signaling the urgency for customers to transition to modern, IP-based systems. In many regions, copper decommissioning is already underway, placing thousands of customers at immediate risk of disconnection if no action is taken.
Why This Matters: Critical Systems Still Depend on Copper
POTS lines still serve as the backbone for a variety of essential safety and operational systems across industries. As copper networks are dismantled, devices that depend on analog connectivity could suddenly go offline, disrupting operations and potentially violating compliance standards.
Affected systems include:
- Fire alarm panels
- Elevator emergency phones
- Building entry and access systems
- Fax lines
- Public safety and emergency phones
- Inventory and environmental monitoring systems
Without a replacement strategy in place, these systems are at risk of failure once copper lines are retired.
The Solution: POTS Replacement and Beyond
The future of reliable, compliant connectivity lies in POTS Replacement Solutions: modern alternatives that leverage LTE, fiber, or IP networks to deliver the same functionality as legacy lines, but with greater reliability, scalability, and cost efficiency.
POTS Replacement technology can:
- Provide code-compliant support for life-safety devices (UL, NFPA, ADA, etc.)
- Reduce monthly telecom costs by eliminating analog line charges
- Offer redundant, cloud-managed connectivity
- Simplify multi-site management for large enterprises
Introducing SPARK: UCC Networks’ Next-Generation POTS Replacement Solution
At UCC Networks, we’re preparing to launch SPARK — a powerful, end-to-end solution designed to simplify and accelerate the transition away from copper.
SPARK will provide:
- Comprehensive site surveys to identify at-risk systems and circuits
-
Turnkey POTS replacement deployments
across all verticals
-
Fully managed services
for elevators, fire systems, access control, environmental monitoring, and more
-
Nationwide scalability
with centralized management and real-time reporting
Whether you’re managing a single building or a national portfolio, SPARK will make your transition to digital infrastructure smooth and secure.
Get Ready for the Future with UCC Networks
The copper shutdown is no longer a distant concern. It’s happening now. Don’t wait until disconnection notices arrive. UCC Networks is ready to help your organization modernize your legacy systems, protect critical infrastructure, and stay compliant.
About UCC Networks
SPARK is a UCC Networks product. UCC Networks is a leading service provider of unified communications and contact center solutions tailored for business, financial, government, healthcare, retail, and international industries.
