Verizon Pledges No Landline Loss in Wisconsin

The company says Wisconsin customers will keep phone service as its copper network is retired.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Telecommunications

Wooden utility poles carrying bundled copper telephone cables across a flat rural field under a pale overcast sky. — Verizon told Sen. Tammy Baldwin's office it will keep phone service for Wisconsin customers as its copper network is retired, including about 3,500 addresses without a replacement. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Verizon told Sen. Tammy Baldwin's office that Wisconsin customers will not lose landline service during the phaseout of its copper network. The company estimates roughly 3,500 Wisconsin addresses lack access to a fiber or wireless replacement and will remain on copper.

Why it matters

Copper phone lines are being retired nationwide, raising concerns about emergency access, power outages, and cost for residents who depend on landlines. Baldwin's constituent concerns prompted the company's written assurances to Wisconsin customers.

Verizon estimates roughly 3,500 Wisconsin addresses have no fiber or wireless replacement and will stay on copper, while about 5% of transitioned customers will get fiber-optic service. Battery backups lasting up to 24 hours will support emergency 911 calls during outages, but the total number of affected customers is not stated.

The players

Verizon

Verizon is a major U.S. telecommunications company that is moving its customers from legacy copper networks to fiber and wireless technologies.

Tammy Baldwin

Tammy Baldwin is a U.S. senator from Wisconsin who raised constituent concerns about the retirement of copper plain old telephone service.

The details

Verizon will not disconnect any customer until an FCC-approved fiber-optic or wireless voice alternative is verified at their location at a comparable price. Installation, equipment, and setup costs will be waived, and copper service will be restored within 30 days if a replacement fails.

Verizon's response to Sen. Tammy Baldwin's office was reported on November 4, 2026.

Legacy Shift

Verizon's Wisconsin pledges reflect the broader federal push to retire aging copper phone networks, with FCC approval required before any customer is disconnected. The carrier's commitments on pricing and backup power show how the transition is being shaped by regulatory oversight.

Wisconsin customers who keep copper lines should expect no disconnection until a verified alternative is in place at a comparable price. Those with battery-backed wireless replacements should test backup power so emergency 911 calls remain available during outages.

The takeaway

Residents relying on a landline should confirm their replacement service is verified and test any battery backup before relying on it for emergencies.