NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Starting this Sunday, AT&T will begin shutting down landline phone service in several Middle Tennessee communities after receiving permission from the Federal Communications Commission.
While the change may not affect everyone directly, experts say there are a few key things homeowners and business owners should know before the service disappears.
You’re talking about fax lines, security lines, elevator lines, especially when it comes to condos, townhomes, business centers and medical centers. That’s where you’ll see the vast majority of them,” said Stephen Burton of One Call Technology in Franklin.
The One Call Technology team is already helping businesses prepare for the day their phone company pulls the plug, a day that is fast approaching.
“Different carriers close at different times, but people don’t think that necessarily applies to them right now,” Burton said.
A filing by AT&T with the FCC shows the company plans to begin interrupting service this weekend at dozens of wire centers across Tennessee. AT&T has until 2029 to complete the full transition.
For anyone with security systems like fire alarms and emergency phones, experts say it’s time to act now, before those systems stop working.
Navigating change doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
“Contact a company. There are many in the Middle Tennessee area that you can talk to that are well aware of what’s going on and can hold your hand and guide you through this,” Burton said.
Another thing to watch out for is what you’ll pay for old services in the future.
With pricing regulations no longer in place, some customers have seen the cost of their copper-based services rise significantly.
Consumer protections in place for customers
- Notice: Before withdrawing copper service, providers should inform affected customers of what is changing and how their service may be impacted. Notice periods are generally at least 180 days for business customers and 90 days for residential customers, depending on the type of transition.
- Information about your options: Providers should explain available alternatives in a neutral manner so that customers can make informed decisions.
- No pressure to upgrade: Providers cannot use required transition notices to pressure customers into purchasing a new service.
- Service during power outages: Traditional copper landlines can often continue to operate during power outages. Many newer telephone services require electricity. Customers should therefore inquire about backup power options to ensure they can still make calls in the event of an outage.
This story was reported on air by a journalist and was converted to this platform with the help of AI. Our editorial team reviews all reporting across all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
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