Latest CenturyLink Copper Retirement Planned for Rockies, Southwest

More CenturyLink copper retirements are slated to accommodate higher speed broadband.

CenturyLink is asking the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to approve copper retirement in parts of Colorado and New Mexico.

The retirements are due primarily to growth in the areas. CenturyLink will replace copper with fiber as customers migrate to higher speed broadband. It provides that broadband over its fiber-to-the-home overlay architecture.

The CenturyLink copper retirement will happen in several parts of the two states. The company scheduled the fiber implementations for late October.

Customers’ Changing Needs

Randy Clarke is CenturyLink’s vice president of federal regulatory affairs. He said his company “constantly strives” to exceed its customers’ expectations.

CenturyLink’s Randy Clarke

“As consumers and the industry transition to next-generation products to stay connected, we are retiring some copper facilities that are no longer needed for the modern services our customers are increasingly relying on today,” he said. “CenturyLink transforms its networks, and provides innovative products and services our customers want, while assuring them we understand our responsibility to continue to meet all public safety needs.”

In addition to accommodating for growth, CenturyLink said road construction and maintenance problems often prompt copper retirements. The company will provide more specific information to customers affected in each location.

If no one files an objection, notices usually go final on the 90th day after the public is notified. Retirements that don’t involve customers are final on the 15th day after public notice.

The retirements won’t affect rates, terms and conditions where the affected service converts to a comparable one, according to CenturyLink.

Last month, CenturyLink asked the FCC to approve copper retirements in parts of Arizona, Colorado, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oregon, Utah and Washington. The company scheduled those implementations for September.

Also last month, Verizon has asked the FCC for permission to retire copper in numerous areas of New England, Maryland and Virginia.