Starlink Switch USA
$100 credit for switchersReferral link: we earn $100 too
Menu

Provider news

AT&T: only 1% of eligible customers still on copper voice; 1,500 more communities to move in the next year

AT&T's own figures on its copper shutdown, its 2027 and 2029 targets, and what DSL and landline households should expect.

Published Updated 3 min read By Starlink Switch USA

Event date · Primary source: about.att.com

Key takeaways · current to

  • AT&T said on Oct 19, 2026 that it has discontinued copper services in more than 500 communities, covering more than 1.3 million locations in 18 states.
  • AT&T says only 1% of its eligible customers still use legacy copper voice, and that it will move customers in 1,500 more communities over the next year.
  • AT&T's target is to end copper-based services in half of its wire centers outside California by the end of 2027 and in substantially all of them by the end of 2029.
  • Press reports put the first round of a January 2026 approval as early as Nov 15, 2026 in parts of 18 states; AT&T's own wording is 'effective by late 2026'.
  • AT&T's copper shutdown covers DSL as well as landline phones.

AT&T said on Oct 19, 2026 that it has “discontinued copper services in more than 500 communities, making up more than 1.3 million locations across 18 states”, and that “only 1% of our eligible customers are still using legacy copper voice technology.” It plans to move customers in 1,500 more communities over the next year, so AT&T DSL and landline households should expect a letter if they haven’t had one.

What AT&T said, and when

The figures come from an AT&T blog post published Oct 19, 2026. Alongside them, AT&T wrote: “No customer will be left without access to the phone or 911 services they rely on. That commitment will continue as we upgrade our customers across 1,500 more communities over the next year.”

On its third-quarter 2026 earnings call, AT&T set out the timeline. It is “on track to reach our target of discontinuing copper-based services in 50% of our wire centers outside of California by the end of 2027 and substantially all of them by the end of 2029.”

Press reports add a nearer date. Broadband Breakfast (Jan 13, 2026) and KCTV (Oct 28, 2026) put the first round of a January 2026 FCC approval as early as Nov 15, 2026, in parts of 18 states. AT&T’s own wording, from its second-quarter call, is that approvals covering more than 30% of its wire centers will be “effective by late 2026”. Treat Nov 15 as reported, not confirmed by AT&T.

California runs on a separate track. The state’s utility commission says AT&T proposes to stop landline voice service in parts of 360 wire centers on or after June 1, 2027.

Who it affects

Any household with AT&T DSL or an AT&T landline on copper. AT&T stopped selling DSL in 2020, and an April 2026 AT&T post says “Copper phone and broadband services will be discontinued in certain areas”, meaning the service stops working and is disconnected.

AT&T says it contacts affected customers several times over about a year, by letter, email, text and phone, with a clear end date.

What to do now

  1. Watch for AT&T’s letter, or ask AT&T in writing whether your address is scheduled and when.
  2. Ask what AT&T offers at your address. It lists AT&T Phone - Advanced, wireless, AT&T Fiber and AT&T Internet Air.
  3. Move your phone number before the line ends if you plan to leave AT&T. Keeping your home phone number

The dates, letters and options are covered in full in AT&T is retiring copper: what DSL customers can do.

AT&T copper retirement guide

Questions people ask

Is AT&T shutting down DSL?
Where AT&T discontinues copper, DSL ends along with the landline. AT&T says copper phone and broadband services will be discontinued in certain areas, and that the service stops working and is disconnected.
When will AT&T shut off copper at my address?
The letter AT&T sends you gives your date. AT&T says it contacts affected customers several times over about a year, by letter, email, text and phone.
What does AT&T offer to replace copper?
AT&T lists AT&T Phone - Advanced, wireless service, AT&T Fiber and AT&T Internet Air. Internet Air depends on the 5G signal at your address, and you can also choose another provider.
What about California?
California is on its own track. The state's utility commission says AT&T proposes to stop landline voice service in parts of 360 wire centers on or after June 1, 2027.

Where these facts come from

We took every figure and rule on this page from the pages below. Terms move often, so confirm with the provider before you cancel or order.

  1. Delivering Faster, More Reliable Connections, and Simplifying Our Network Along the Way (AT&T blog, Oct 19, 2026)checked Nov 3, 2026 · primary source
  2. Keeping Customers Connected with Reliable, High-Speed Connectivity (AT&T blog, Apr 28, 2026)checked Nov 3, 2026 · primary source
  3. AT&T stops DSL sales (Light Reading, October 2020)checked Oct 21, 2026 · primary source
  4. AT&T Approved to Discontinue Service at More Than 30% of Copper Footprint This Year (Broadband Breakfast, Jan 13, 2026)checked Nov 3, 2026 · primary source
  5. Check the list: Landline shutoff could hit KS, MO towns in weeks (KCTV via WIBW, Oct 28, 2026)checked Nov 3, 2026 · primary source
  6. AT&T 3Q26 earnings prepared remarkschecked Nov 3, 2026 · primary source
  7. AT&T 3Q 2026 results (Form 8-K, Exhibit 99.1)checked Oct 21, 2026 · primary source
  8. AT&T 2Q26 earnings prepared remarkschecked Nov 3, 2026 · primary source
  9. Information on AT&T's Federal Applications to Discontinue Landline Voice Service Throughout California (CPUC)checked Nov 3, 2026 · primary source

Checking method: each price, fee and rule here links to the provider’s or regulator’s own page, dated the day we read it. No internet provider pays for a place on this site; the only income is the Starlink referral explained on our money page. Our fact-checking · How we make money · Corrections