How Verizon lets its copper network decay to force phone customers onto fiber [telecom]

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Fiber is fast, but copper is reliable - even during multi-week power outages.

by Jon Brodkin

The shift from copper landlines to fiber-based voice networks is continuing apace, and no one wants it to happen faster than Verizon.

Internet users nationwide are clamoring for fiber, as well, hoping it can free them from slower DSL service or the dreaded cable companies. But not everyone wants fiber, because, when it comes to voice calls, the newer technology doesn't have all the benefits of the old copper phone network. In particular, fiber doesn't conduct electricity, where copper does. That means when your power goes out, copper landlines might keep working for days or weeks by drawing electricity over the lines, while a phone that relies on fiber will only last as long as its battery. That's up to eight hours for Verizon's most widely available backup system.

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