FCC Speeds Up Old Network Upgrades for Faster Internet
Published Date: 10/1/2026
Rule
Summary
The FCC is making it easier and faster for phone and internet companies to upgrade old networks to new, faster technology. These changes affect companies that provide phone and internet services and will start on October 15, 2026. This update cuts red tape and helps bring better service to customers sooner, without extra costs slowing things down.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.
Required coordination with 911 and emergency providers
Carriers planning copper retirements or discontinuances that affect interconnection trunks or 911-supporting facilities must provide direct notice and coordinate with 911 Authorities and 911 service providers. For discontinuances supporting interconnection trunks, carriers must show they provided a designated point of contact at least 90 days before filing and include a list of 911 Authorities and providers they coordinated with and the dates of coordination.
Shorter notices and new notice methods
Incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs) may give public notice of network changes via industry fora, industry publications, or their websites. If an ILEC gives less than six months' notice for a short-term network change it must directly notify affected interconnecting telephone exchange providers and 911 service providers at least 10 days before implementation; planned copper retirements require direct notice at least 90 days before implementation (15 days if the copper facilities are not used to provision services to any customers).
Grandfathering and reseller notice changes
Carriers may 'grandfather' legacy voice, lower-speed data (defined as below 25 Mbps down / 3 Mbps up), and interconnected VoIP over copper without filing a Section 214 application; they must notify existing customers that a service is being grandfathered, include an approximate planned discontinuance date, and state available alternative services. When a wholesale provider discontinues a legacy voice service, resellers do not have to file a discontinuance application but must notify their customers promptly by any previously approved means and include carrier name/address, planned date, geographic areas affected, service type, and alternatives.
Faster approval timelines and replacement-service tests
The Commission applies a 31-day automatic grant period to discontinuance applications and provides that emergency discontinuance authority lasts up to 60 days (with filing no later than 65 days after the event and deemed granted unless the Commission notifies the carrier within 15 days). For technology-transition discontinuances to receive automatic grant treatment, the applicant must certify that in every location in the affected area at least one replacement option is available (examples include facilities-based interconnected VoIP, or mobile wireless at speeds of at least 5 Mbps down / 1 Mbps up).
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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