When was the last time your organization audited its copper internet and phone lines?
Copper lines often sit quietly in the background, supporting devices such as a fire panel, an elevator, or an older internet circuit. It’s likely that copper may very well be keeping your most critical parts of your business connected.
Carriers across the country are actively decommissioning copper infrastructure, which means support is reduced or eliminated, repairs are limited, and changes will no longer be possible. For organizations that have not identified where copper still exists, this shift may surface suddenly, under pressure, and at the worst possible time.
Understanding where copper remains, what risks it creates, and how to plan ahead is now a business and IT priority.
For a long time, business copper lines stayed in place for one simple reason. If it works, let’s not worry about it. It hasn’t been at the top of the priority list to replace or update.
But with the planned decommissioning of copper coming soon, it’s now much more critical. Picture a business owner closing up for the day. They arm the alarm, lock the door, and head out. Only this time, the system doesn’t respond. A quick call turns into a longer one. Then comes the explanation. The line that supports the alarm is copper. It’s no longer supported. There’s no repair window. No technician coming out. The only option is replacement.
This is why timing matters. Organizations that understand how copper lines impact their business before something breaks can plan the transition on their terms. Those who wait will find themselves reacting, making decisions under pressure, and wishing they had looked at it sooner.
Many organizations unknowingly still depend on copper lines. As these lines are retired, support vanishes when needed most.
At NCG, we recommend you:
The worst support calls often begin with, "we didn't know that line was still active."
Old copper lines don’t always look outdated.
Copper could be used in old internet circuits, traditional phone lines, or analog connections for phones, fire alarms, elevators, security systems, fax machines, and access controls. Some of these lines haven’t been checked since the early 2000s.
They stay in place simply because they still work. That’s also why they’re often overlooked. When these lines are forgotten, the risk increases faster than most realize.
Copper networks were designed for a time with different needs. Back then, phone calls and simple data transfers were the primary focus. Today, organizations depend on cloud applications, video calls, remote access, and constant connectivity. This shift in demand underscores why the transition from copper is happening now.
As carriers update their networks, repairs for copper lines may be limited or not available. When a line fails, switching to a new option is often the only solution.
Since timelines for copper decommissioning vary by location, the best option is to be proactive. By waiting, organizations lose flexibility and valuable time. Late movers often face a 30% cost increase and loss of negotiating power, which impacts operational budgets.
Switching away from copper often uncovers old or unused services, which can lower costs. We often find copper services linked to old pricing plans in organizations with many locations. Once these are replaced with modern options, costs go down. For instance, many multi-campus organizations move from copper lines and see telecommunications costs drop significantly. In many cases, savings of about fifty percent are common. For organizations leaving very expensive old plans, savings can reach eighty to ninety percent.
Not every migration saves money right away. Organizations with overlapping contracts may need more time to see results after everything is combined.
Traditional copper lines worked differently during power outages. Modern services require local power, making planning more crucial than ever.
When modern network upgrades are properly designed, they incorporate backup systems and ensure power continuity from the outset. As a result, these networks are frequently more reliable than legacy copper systems. (Fiber Broadband Association Research Underscores Benefits of Retiring Copper for Future-Proof Fiber, 2024) Service disruptions typically arise from poorly executed or rushed migrations rather than from limitations inherent to the new technology.
National Communications Group helps organizations transition from outdated copper lines to modern solutions such as VoIP or fiber internet. Our approach prioritizes providing more modern connectivity and ensuring that phone systems are cloud-ready. We review current services, plan replacements, coordinate with carriers, and manage the entire transition process for your business. And our clients benefit from partnering with a single provider rather than managing each site and vendor separately.
Begin by compiling a comprehensive inventory of all telecom circuits currently in use within the organization. Next, identify which circuits depend on copper infrastructure. For each, set a timeline to review and prioritize replacement, starting with the oldest or most critical circuits. Use this process to guide planning and budgeting for upgrades.
Contact NCG to help you map out current services, locate copper lines, and set specific migration steps for each site. If your organization still relies on copper, proactively assess your systems, prioritize essential circuits for replacement, and define a timeline for transition before support ends and disruptions occur.
Do you help identify where copper lines still exist?
Yes. Many organizations are surprised by how many copper lines are still active across locations. NCG helps inventory existing services to identify which lines rely on copper and where risk exists.
Can you help replace copper lines without increasing carrier costs?
In many cases, yes. Organizations typically pay the same carrier rates they would pay directly. The difference is having portfolio-level oversight, better coordination, and access to modern alternatives that often lower total spend.
What if our organization has multiple locations or franchises?
Site-by-site purchasing often leads to higher costs and inconsistent service. NCG helps organizations standardize services, align contracts, and manage upgrades across all locations.
Legacy copper lines are being decommissioned whether organizations are ready or not. The question is whether the transition happens on your timeline or under pressure.
Organizations that review their copper exposure early gain control over timing, testing, and cost. Those that wait often end up reacting when support is no longer available.
If you’re ready to understand where copper still exists in your environment and what options make sense next, we’re here to help.
Schedule a review with NCG before disruption forces the issue.
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