It’s a technology that’s been in use for more than 140 years, but time appears to be running out for copper phone wires, the type used for landline telephones.

Some Verizon customers in the Lehigh Valley have been receiving notices about ending traditional copper-based phone service and switching to either fiber, cable or wireless technology.

“On or after November 30, 2026, subject to Federal Communications Commission approval, Verizon will have the authority to discontinue” the service, the letter said.

Verizon spokesperson Parker Branton said the phone company wants to make sure no customer is left behind and emphasized that home phone service is not going away.

“Receiving an initial notice simply marks the beginning of a multistep regulatory process and does not mean immediate service disconnect,” Branton said. “Furthermore, if a suitable replacement is not yet available, we will not discontinue a customer’s copper voice service.”

Here are four things to know:

Why is this happening?

The FCC says that the copper lines are “unable to meet the growing need for high-speed, high-capacity communications services.”

Not only are they costly to maintain, repair and replace, they are often less reliable in extreme weather.

“Providers all across the country are working to upgrade their networks, replacing outdated parts at the network level and copper lines in our communities,” the FCC said.

According to FCC statistics, only 5% of U.S. households have legacy copper telephone service, while 76% are in wireless-only households.

What should customers do?

Verizon said customers who receive letters don’t need to take any action at the moment.

They will be contacted with the next steps “to ensure a seamless transition.” If service is to be discontinued there will be advance notice with a specific disconnection date.

What are the choices?

Verizon said when it’s time to make a change, there are options that would allow customers to keep their phone number and access essential services such as 911, legacy alarm systems and faxes, and many medical devices.

If service is discontinued, many customers would have the choice of at least one fiber, cable or mobile wireless voice option. They can see available options by going to broadbandmap.fcc.gov/home and typing in their home address.

“For the very small percentage of impacted customers, we are providing seamless transitions to ultra-fast fiber or an alternative service that offers a traditional landline experience — including the use of existing handsets, battery backup in the event of power outages, and full E911 support,” Branton said.

What if there are further questions?

Customers can go to verizon.com/copper for more information on what to expect during this process, to check their address, and to explore the replacement solutions available to them.

Morning Call reporter Evan Jones can be reached at ejones@mcall.com.