BINGHAMTON, NY – Representative Josh Riley (NY-19) is demanding answers from Verizon about notices the company has sent to residents across Upstate New York warning that their copper landline telephone service may soon be shut off. These notices followed Verizon’s September 9, 2026 application to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) seeking approval to discontinue this service as soon as November 30, 2026.
In a letter to Verizon CEO Dan Schulman, Riley expressed concern that alternatives to copper landline service, such as fiber and wireless networks, are not a reliable solution for Upstate New York communities. In many rural areas, the landline is how people call 911, how medical alert and monitoring devices work, and how families stay connected. Unlike the alternatives, traditional landlines keep working during a blackout, and in rural New York, blackouts are frequent and can last for days.
“For many Upstate New Yorkers, discontinuing copper landline service would mean losing the only phone service they can count on,” Riley said. “Rural communities present real challenges, but rather than rising to meet them, Verizon appears to be walking away from us. Upstate New Yorkers should not be forced to pay the price in new equipment, higher monthly bills, or fears about whether their phone will work in an emergency.”
In the letter, Riley demanded Verizon provide the following information to his office:
- The number of residential and business customers in New York’s 19th Congressional District whose copper landline service could be discontinued under Verizon’s application, broken down by county.
- A full list, by county, town, and ZIP code, of every area in New York’s 19th Congressional District where Verizon is seeking to discontinue copper landline service. For each area, indicate whether affected customers currently have access to an alternative voice service, such as fiber or wireless, or whether they will have no alternative option available.
- For each affected customer, the specific alternative service that will be available, and how Verizon has confirmed that it is fully operational at that customer’s location.
- Whether Verizon will commit not to discontinue service to any customer until a working alternative has been confirmed at that customer’s location, and what will happen to customers for whom no reliable alternative exists.
- The financial impact on affected customers, including whether they will be protected against rate increases after switching to a new service, and whether Verizon will cover all necessary equipment, installation and setup costs.
- How replacement services will function during power outages, and how Verizon will ensure uninterrupted access to 911 and other emergency services.
- The steps Verizon will take to engage affected customers, county emergency management offices, and local governments before any service is discontinued, including whether Verizon will commit to holding public meetings in affected communities.
- Why Verizon believes a November 30, 2026 timeline gives customers sufficient time to transition, and whether it will agree to extend that timeline.
You can read the full letter HERE.
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