FCC Accelerates Network Modernization and Copper Maintenance Savings

FCC Headlines

Published March 26th, 2026

Detected March 28th, 2026

Summary

The FCC has issued a Report & Order to accelerate the transition to modern, high-speed networks by reducing barriers to network improvements and service changes. This decision aims to free up billions of dollars spent on maintaining outdated copper infrastructure, while ensuring continued access to critical services like 911 and preventing preemption of federal policies by state or local requirements.

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What changed

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued a Report & Order (WC Docket Nos. 25-209; 25-208) that aims to accelerate network modernization by reducing regulatory burdens associated with maintaining aging copper infrastructure. This decision will allow telecommunications providers to reallocate billions of dollars currently spent on copper maintenance towards upgrading to modern, high-speed networks. The FCC stated that the rules are balanced to protect consumers, ensuring continued access to reliable voice services for public safety and everyday communications at comparable prices.

Regulated entities, particularly telecommunications providers, should review the new rules to understand how they impact their network modernization strategies and copper maintenance obligations. The FCC also indicated that outdated state and local requirements that hinder federal network modernization policies will be preempted. While the document emphasizes consumer protection and continued access to essential services, specific compliance actions or deadlines for providers are not detailed in this statement, suggesting a need to consult the full Report & Order for precise implementation details.

What to do next

Review the full Report & Order for specific compliance requirements related to network modernization and copper maintenance.
Assess current copper infrastructure maintenance costs and potential reallocation to network upgrades.
Ensure continued provision of essential voice services, including 911, in accordance with FCC consumer protection mandates.

Source document (simplified)

Federal Communications Commission FCC 26-19

STATEMENT OF

CHAIRMAN BRENDAN CARR

Re: Reducing Barriers to Network Improvements and Service Changes; Accelerating Network Modernization, WC Docket Nos. 25-209; 25-208, Report & Order (March 26, 2026).

Today’s decision marks an important step in accelerating America’s transition to modern, high-speed networks. For too long, outdated rules and regulations have forced providers to maintain aging copper infrastructure and to keep consumers on broken, antiquated networks. And this has come at a high cost. One provider alone reports that they have been spending about $6 billion a year maintaining copper lines for a dwindling number of consumers. That changes today. This vote effectively frees up those billions of dollars so that Americans can benefit from an upgrade to the types of modern, high-speed networks that they want and need.

At the same time, we take a balanced approach that protects consumers and preserves access to critical services like 911. Our updated rules ensure that Americans will still have reliable access to the voice services they rely on for public safety communications and everyday communications alike. And at prices that remain comparable to what they pay today. In other words, we are advancing modernized networks while making sure no one is left behind.

Today’s item also sends a clear signal. Bad actors cannot use outdated state and local requirements to undermine the federal policies the FCC codifies today. Requirements that would leave communities stuck on aging copper will be preempted so that Americans in every community benefits from new investments and next-gen networks.

I want to thank the FCC staff whose hard work made today’s item possible, including Michele Berlove, Marie Bordelon, Jodie Griffin, Rhonda Lien, John Visclosky, Jodie May, Joseph Calascione, Malena Barzelai, Sarah Citrin, David Furth, and Rachel Waxman. And thank you to all of you that have driven progress on our network modernization efforts over the last year.