Verizon Announces Removal of Copper Wires With Fiber

Certain portions of Westford and Chelmsford may see an upgrade in their phone and internet systems in the near future as Verizon has announced the removal of old copper based wires with new fiber based replacements.

In the past, copper-based wires have been reported during rain and snow storms to cause crackling sounds on phone lines and slower internet speeds when they were penetrated with water.

Frequently, the issues with copper wires may be limited to just one or two customers on a street, but the frequency of the problems have made it more fruitful to just replace copper wires where possible.

 “Since we’ve got the new fiber network running right along with the copper wires, why not simply convert the system to the new fiber?,” asked Verizon spokesman Phillip Santoro. “(Fiber’s) much more reliable, it’s impervious to weather, it doesn’t break down, and we can stop the constant problems our customers are having.”

Santoro said due to similar problems, the initiative will also be rolled out in Groton, Chelmsford here in the Merrimack Valley and in Rochester on the South Coast.  

Customers interested in moving from copper to fiber are advised to call 877-452-7296, or any specific contact information on their bills.

CLARIFICATION: The copper to fiber replacement will be only for areas with histories of service problems or customers with copper wires who wish to be upgraded to fiber wires.