EU said to allow telecoms copper switch-off delay to 2035

The European Commission is set to allow member states to delay the switch-off of copper telecommunications networks to 2035, giving the industry more time to make the transition to faster fiber networks, according to people familiar with the matter.

The move would give national governments discretion to set their own copper phase-out timelines based on local market conditions, network readiness and consumer impact, according to the people, who asked not to be identified discussing private information. Governments can still require an earlier switch-off if they choose.

A switch-off date of 2030 was initially discussed and anticipated by the industry, the people said.

The change appears in the latest draft of the Digital Networks Act, a comprehensive update to the EU’s telecoms rules, the people said.

A spokesperson for the European Commission declined to comment on draft legislation.

The delay to 2035 matters for telecom operators and governments grappling with the cost and complexity of migrating legacy networks to fiber, as well as for households and businesses that still rely on copper-based services. A more flexible framework could ease political resistance in countries where fiber coverage remains uneven and reduce the likelihood of service disruptions.

Germany, for example, remains one of Europe’s biggest copper markets. If regulators enforce an earlier copper shutdown, its main carrier Deutsche Telekom AG could face higher costs and more disruption. Other operators, such as Spain’s Telefonica SA, say they’ve completed the switch already.

The Commission’s goal is still to upgrade Europe’s fixed-line infrastructure to fiber, the people said. But the longer timeframe gives local regulators the chance to weigh different factors such as cost and competition when setting out their own timelines.

Any final rules would require approval by EU lawmakers and member states.

(By Daniele Lepido and Samuel Stolton)