Lumen exits some wholesale voice areas as copper retirements continue

Lumen is withdrawing from wholesale landline telephone service in some areas, while Optimum is exiting selected broadband service areas and other providers continue retiring copper networks, according to a Fierce Network report.

TL;DR

• Lumen is pulling out of wholesale telephone service in some areas.
• Optimum is dropping broadband coverage in areas it considers undesirable.
• Other service providers are continuing copper network retirements.

Lumen is reducing its footprint in wholesale landline voice service in selected areas. The report identifies this as part of a broader shift away from legacy fixed-line voice infrastructure.

Optimum is also reducing service availability by leaving certain broadband areas. The report says these are areas the company does not want to continue serving, but it does not specify the number of locations or customers affected.

Other operators are continuing to retire copper networks. The report describes these moves as part of an industry pattern in which providers stop maintaining older wireline infrastructure and narrow service in less profitable areas.

Related questions

• Which service areas is Lumen leaving for wholesale telephone service?
• Which broadband markets is Optimum exiting?
• How are copper network retirements affecting fixed-line voice availability?