FCC Moves to Retire Copper Networks, Saving Billions

Chairman Brendan Carr says the shift to modern broadband will cut maintenance costs and accelerate infrastructure upgrades.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 2:20pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A highly detailed, glowing 3D illustration of a complex fiber optic cable network, with neon cyan and magenta lights illuminating the intricate physical infrastructure, conceptually representing the technological advancements in broadband connectivity.The FCC's push to retire aging copper networks will unlock billions in savings to accelerate the buildout of modern, high-speed fiber broadband infrastructure.Washington Today

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr announced that the agency's decision to retire aging copper communications networks will save billions of dollars annually for telecom providers. Carr said the outdated regulations that forced providers to maintain copper lines instead of upgrading to fiber have been updated, allowing companies to reinvest those maintenance funds into building high-speed broadband infrastructure. The FCC is also working to strengthen protections against illegal robocalls by expanding 'Know Your Customer' requirements and ejecting over 1,200 telecom providers not doing enough to combat the issue.

Why it matters

Retiring copper networks in favor of modern fiber broadband will unlock significant cost savings for telecom providers, allowing them to accelerate infrastructure upgrades and expand high-speed internet access across the country. This shift is a key part of the FCC's 'Build America' agenda to improve connectivity and protect consumers from issues like illegal robocalls.

The details

Carr said one provider alone spent $3 billion per year maintaining its copper networks, but will now be able to reinvest that money into building fiber and other high-speed broadband infrastructure. The FCC has also updated environmental and historical preservation rules, as well as local permitting 'shot clocks,' to streamline the construction of new broadband projects.

  • On Thursday, Carr discussed the FCC's copper network retirement plans on the USTelecom 2026 American Connectivity Forum Livestream.
  • The FCC recently proposed new rules to strengthen protections against illegal robocalls by expanding 'Know Your Customer' requirements for telecom providers.

The players

Brendan Carr

Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, leading the agency's efforts to retire copper networks and accelerate broadband infrastructure deployment.

Jonathan Spalter

CEO and President of USTelecom, the industry association that hosted the livestream where Carr discussed the FCC's copper network retirement plans.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“By simply allowing providers to retire copper line networks and upgrade communities with high speed networks instead, we are saving billions of dollars a year.”

— Brendan Carr, FCC Chairman

“There's been some efforts over the years on that, but we're moving across the board from environmental [and] historic rules as well, and then general permitting reform. We're going to work hard to get this thing turned around.”

— Brendan Carr, FCC Chairman

What’s next

The FCC is expected to finalize its new rules to strengthen protections against illegal robocalls in the coming months.

The takeaway

The FCC's decision to retire outdated copper networks will unlock significant cost savings for telecom providers, allowing them to reinvest those funds into building faster, more reliable fiber broadband infrastructure across the country. This shift is a key part of the agency's broader efforts to improve connectivity and protect consumers.