Colorado regulators approve 911 report flagging copper-network risks
Staff warned that retiring copper service could require 911 centers and municipalities to test backup options for alarms, call boxes and other emergency systems.
The Colorado Public Utilities Commission approved its ninth annual State of 911 report Sept. 9 for transmission to state lawmakers. The report flags concerns involving Lumen’s customer service, cybersecurity among 911 stakeholders and the retirement of older telecommunications infrastructure, according to the commission’s meeting record.
During an informational briefing after the vote, staff said AT&T plans to end copper service across its footprint by 2029, while Lumen has been discontinuing traditional services on a rolling basis. The briefing was not a commission decision or an official state position.
Copper lines can often continue operating during a household power outage because telephone companies supply power over the line. Staff said internet-based phone service generally depends on backup power at a customer’s home, while mobile service depends on the phone’s battery and backup power at cell towers. Copper landlines also generally provide a database-linked street address to 911, while wireless and internet-based services may rely on estimated location information.
Staff said about 3% of Colorado emergency calls currently come from landlines. Older fire, burglar and panic alarms, elevator rescue phones, some medical devices, municipal emergency call boxes and teletypewriter devices used by people with hearing or speech disabilities could require review when legacy service is retired, staff said.
When the PUC receives a copper-retirement notice, staff said it notifies the relevant local 911 center. The center can then determine whether addresses in the affected area rely on copper-dependent systems and test them. Staff also recommended public education and regular testing.