European Organizations Have Urged Copper Network Phase-Out
Nineteen groups requested a formal transition framework to shift digital infrastructure from legacy copper to fibre.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Telecommunications
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Nineteen European organizations have called on policymakers to establish a rule-based framework for decommissioning copper networks. This transition is intended to align with the Digital Networks Act to ensure a predictable shift toward full-fibre infrastructure.
Why it matters
A standardized switch-off process could accelerate the adoption of high-speed fibre across the European Union by providing regulatory certainty for infrastructure investment. The move seeks to move the region past legacy telephony infrastructure toward high-capacity digital connectivity.
The 19 signatory organizations represent a broad cross-section of the European digital ecosystem, including municipal and energy infrastructure providers. They are requesting a structured transition mechanism to replace aging copper-based networks with modern fibre-optic alternatives.
The players
European Union
A political and economic union of 27 member states that regulates telecommunications policy and digital infrastructure mandates across its territory.
The details
The proposed transition aims to replace legacy copper wiring, which was originally designed for analog voice traffic, with fibre-optic cables capable of transmitting data via light pulses. This shift is requested under the auspices of the Digital Networks Act, a legislative package designed to modernize European telecommunications. By creating a unified regulatory framework, the organizations aim to prevent infrastructure gaps that often occur during the migration to next-generation broadband technologies.
Timeline
October 1, 2026: Nineteen organizations issued a joint statement requesting a new copper switch-off framework.
The Tech Race
This effort seeks to move the European Union toward a full-fibre future by formalizing the decommissioning of legacy telecommunications assets. It follows the path set by the Digital Networks Act to prioritize high-capacity connectivity over outdated copper-based transmission systems.
A successful, regulated switch-off would provide clearer timelines for households and businesses currently relying on legacy copper connections to plan their upgrade to fibre broadband. The transition will likely dictate when users in various EU jurisdictions must finalize their hardware migration.
The takeaway
This request highlights the growing industry pressure for Europe to move beyond antiquated infrastructure to maintain global digital competitiveness. Stakeholders should monitor upcoming European Commission responses to the Digital Networks Act for the specific criteria that will govern the switch-off process.
Further reading
For broader insights into how infrastructure policies are shaping regional connectivity, see the latest updates in Telecommunications.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Telecompaper.
Live Poll
Should the government prioritize transitioning national network infrastructure from copper to fibre-optic systems?
