CenturyLink to end landlines this month

LEE COUNTY – Per a spokesperson with CenturyLink (Lumens Technologies) the communication provider notified Iowa customers that they will be ending landline service on Oct. 18.
The company sent letters to customers in Iowa on August 25 that they would be ending legacy voice service in certain Iowa communities.
“This discontinuance is expected to be effective on Oct. 18, and it is happening in full compliance with the (Federal Communication Commission's) rules, which do not require a 90-day notice,” the spokesperson wrote in an email to Pen City Current Monday.
However, according to the FCC’s website - https://www.fcc.gov/modernizing-telecommunications-networks-what-government-officials-need-know - a 90-day notice, and potentially a 180-day notice, seems to be in place currently.
“The FCC requires providers to give notice of copper retirements directly to state (the governor and the state public utility commission) and Tribal governments at least 180 days before any retirements. If there are no customers still using the copper network, the notice need only be provided at least 90 days before retirement,” according to the federal website.
An opposition group, SaveLandlines.org, said the company is required to give 90-day notice and said the change could affect seniors across the state by limiting their capacity to communicate regularly or in emergencies.
“This poses a hardship on the elderly, disabled, and vulnerable who rely on 911 calls for emergencies and medic alert lifelines. And who often are unfamiliar with and do not possess the tech savvy or money to rapidly put together a complex digital system within a matter of weeks. Families are concerned about the confusion and emotional stress placed on their older relatives,” according to a release from the organization.
The group said that the move is due to a new law passed in March of 2026 that takes away state’s rights to approve or reject landline termination, rubber-stamps and fast tracks the approval process, and basically eliminates the public comment process. The Iowa Utilities Commission did allow a public comment period that ended last week on Oct. 2.
“Telecoms are jumping on the bandwagon and discontinuing landlines all over the country, blindsiding residents and businesses. Thousands of new “Discontinuances” are being rolled out every day in multiple states,” the group stated in its release.
Lumens’ spokesperson wrote that customers are rapidly moving to modern, more reliable communications services, while use of legacy copper networks, which supported land lines, continue to decline.

In many communities, only a small share of customers still subscribe to copper-based home phone service – and very few rely on it as their only connection,” the spokesperson said.
According to the CDC, in 2024, just 1.5% of Americans exclusively relied on landline telephone service. At the same time, copper is increasingly vulnerable to weather, corrosion, and theft, making it less reliable than today’s alternatives.
“CenturyLink is taking a customer-first approach to this transition: providing advance notice and offering replacement voice options. Our goal is simple: keep customers connected through technology built for today and tomorrow, not the fragile networks of the past,” the spokesperson wrote.
He said no customer is left without an option. For customers who still want a traditional home-phone experience, we are offering CenturyLink Connected Voice with Air-Line, which lets them keep their existing phone number and handset. The device supports 911 calling and is compatible with certain devices, such as medical alert systems, security systems, fax machines, and other equipment.
Customers also have access to a number of options from other providers including broadband fiber service, cable telephone service, and 4G LTE wireless voice service. He provided a link for those concerned about transitioning away from the landline service: Keeping Older Adults Connected Through Home Phone Modernization | Lumen Technologies - YouTube.
Granular data on how many CenturyLink customers in Lee County still use landlines was not available due to proprietary reasons, but the SaveLandlines information said few people think about landlines.
“We may think that “no one has landlines anymore”, but about 25% of the population do. Iowans who own a landline do so because it fills a purpose/need in their lives. That need hasn’t changed. And the majority are the Elderly,” according to the group.
“Residents received notices on Aug. 23, either by email or USPS.  That’s just a 47-day period to make critical decisions about their future. But telecoms are required by FCC to give at least a 90-day notice. And, until the new law was passed in March, it was 180 days.
Many residents still don’t know they are about to lose their landlines, many who do know are panicking.”
For more information, customers can reach out to the FCC at: 888-225-5322 or contact local legislators.