The business case for replacing copper networks with fiber optics has never been stronger
Barry Walton
Published: February 6, 2025
For more than a century, copper networks were the backbone of communication infrastructure, stretching across cities and neighborhoods both in the ground and overhead. But today, our communication needs are wildly different compared to 100 years ago – and copper networks simply struggle to keep up.
Fiber optics have emerged as the preferred cabling solution, driving widespread investments and deployments. I’ve been in this business for a long time, and there was certainly a point where copper served the world well – including the initial transition from voice-only phone lines to early data networks.
However, as these networks struggle to keep up with increasing demand, the need for upgraded infrastructure is becoming critically important. And for network providers, the cost of not upgrading is coming into sharp focus. Fiber optics have become essential for meeting the needs of our rapidly evolving digital world, enabling faster, more reliable connections for today and into the future. Corning invented the first low-loss optical fiber over 50 years ago, and since then Fiber optics have become essential for meeting the needs of our rapidly evolving digital world, enabling faster, more reliable connections for today and into the future. To give you an example, the world has deployed over 6B KM of fiber since its invention, that’s enough to travel to the sun and back about 20 times.
Unfortunately, current state and federal rules and procedures can complicate efforts to replace or decommission copper networks – so industry leaders must step up efforts to provide more education on copper’s limitations and how to effectively and efficiently upgrade to fiber.
Copper’s rising cost
Several factors are converging to drive the switch from copper to fiber – and cost is a big one. A recent investor presentation by AT&T claimed that fiber was 35% less costly to maintain than copper. Copper is becoming more expensive to deploy and maintain, and as demand for copper decreases, its price continues to rise, making it a less viable option. On the flip side, fiber is becoming more affordable as fiber investments grow.
This matters because one of the regulatory barriers to replacing copper is Carrier of Last Resort (COLR) rules, which can obligate providers to make essential services, like phone lines (COLR also affects things like water and electricity) available to all consumers. This can complicate things in areas where fiber is not available, but it’s less of an issue as fiber becomes more widespread and economically feasible to install.
Maintaining a copper network comes with several considerations that simply don’t exist with more modern infrastructure, such as the need to maintain batteries in the field, and outdated cabinets that can be susceptible to the elements, vandalism and corrosion. And when it comes to voice communications, some of the equipment used in copper networks is being phased out.
Another consideration? The last generation of workers with expertise in repairing and maintaining copper networks are starting to retire. It is increasingly difficult to find techs with the knowledge of the complicated battery systems, cable splicing, and air pressurization equipment necessary to keep these networks working – and that can add costly downtime to repair costs when issues arise.
Copper theft is on the rise
As copper prices rise, its high value makes it a more frequent target for thieves, leaving networks vulnerable to outages and costing providers big-time. In Los Angeles, law enforcement recently recovered $46,000 worth of stolen copper and aluminum at a recycling center.
Beyond theft, there are modern uses for copper that are predicted to increase its value, such as electric vehicle charging stations. This market is expected to require 230% more copper by 2030, according to the Fiber Broadband Association.
Fiber boosts performance
With better reliability and higher bandwidth capacity, only fiber can truly satisfy the bandwidth requirements of today and tomorrow. Fiber has nearly unlimited bandwidth -- so once you deploy it, you can trust that it will outpace consumer demand for decades to come. Additionally, a single optical fiber link can carry more than 50 terabits of data per second – enough to support 10 million simultaneous HD video streams.
Copper cables can support limited bandwidth services per “pair” within the cable – but fiber enables networks to simultaneously handle data with Gigabit speeds, phone, television services and more, all over the same connection – and with better performance.
Additionally, in terms of network planning and deployment, fiber infrastructure is much more efficient. According to the Fiber Broadband Association, one fiber location can serve a 40 kilometer area through fully passive optical cabling, while it would take DSL or Coaxial cable based last mile systems dozens of cabinet locations to serve the same region.
On top of improved performance, fiber offers greater resilience to environmental factors. Because fiber is made of glass, fiber cables don’t conduct electricity and won’t rust, making them more resistant to water exposure and lightning strikes that would easily damage copper cables. It’s also far more sustainable in the long term.
Minimizing maintenance
Copper cables encompass a range of materials. The earliest versions used paper insulation without color coding for pair identification, while later generations employed plastic insulation with a color code. Regular maintenance and inspections are crucial for optimal performance of copper cables, particularly those underground. For preservation, dry air is injected into the cables to prevent water ingress. If the pairs within the cable become wet, it could lead to significant service outages.
Fiber, however, is simple to install and is designed for minimal upkeep. Unlike copper, fiber does not require frequent attention for maintenance, which can significantly reduce field labor, costs, and safety hazards.
Overall, there are clear financial benefits to upgrading to a fiber-based network. A study from the Fiber Broadband Association found that due to reduced truck rolls and other issues, an all-fiber network can save $91 a year per home passed vs DSL, which accumulates to $910 per home over a 10-year period.
Fiber is the future: Making the transition
The transition to fiber is already underway. And while there are some upfront costs to replacing copper, and large-scale copper replacements are certainly no minor undertaking, the compounding costs of propping up aging networks and the proven savings of fiber are converging to make the switch an easy business decision.
For example, over the past few years, Verizon has transitioned 4.5 million circuits on its network from copper to fiber, delivering operational savings of around $180 million, due to reduced maintenance as well as energy savings.
In addition to costs, there are regulatory and security complications – for example, copper networks are not able to comply with the FCC’s anti-spoofing STIR/SHAKEN protocol, which requires phone companies to verify that caller ID information transmitted with a call matches the caller’s actual phone number.
The verdict is out: fiber is the future – and it starts with letting go of copper networks.
