FCC Does Not Automatically Grant Application of Verizon to Discontinue Domestic Legacy Voice Service

On August 10, 2026, Verizon filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission requesting authority, under section 214 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. § 214, and section 63.71 of the FCC’s rules, 47 CFR § 63.71, to discontinue residential and business legacy TDM-based voice service in portions of Arizona, Delaware, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah, and Virginia. On August 26, 2026, the Commission released a public notice seeking comment on the Application and stating that the Application would be automatically granted on September 26, 2026. The FCC requires additional time to complete its review. Accordingly, the Application as filed with the FCC will not be automatically granted. We emphasize that our removal of Verizon’s application from the automatic grant process is not a final determination on the merits of Verizon’s request for authority to discontinue service.