Omdia: End-User Awareness Key to Copper Retirement

In the rapidly evolving landscape of telecommunications, the transition from copper to fiber networks is not just a technological upgrade but a strategic shift with far-reaching implications. Omdia's latest report, "Copper Switch-off Regulations and Policies – 2025," sheds light on the critical role of end-user awareness in this process. As countries around the world outline their copper retirement plans, the emphasis on informing and protecting consumers becomes paramount.



The report highlights that numerous countries have already outlined their copper retirement plans, with timelines varying based on regulatory frameworks and technological readiness. European countries like Estonia and Sweden, along with Middle Eastern nations such as Qatar and the UAE, have made significant strides in decommissioning legacy networks. In contrast, Latin America continues to face hurdles due to regulatory and investment barriers. This disparity underscores the need for a well-coordinated approach to ensure a smooth transition.

One of the key takeaways from Omdia's report is the importance of end-user awareness. Regulators are increasingly obligating telecommunications companies to issue formal notifications to wholesale and retail customers. These notifications outline timeframes, replacement products, and pricing terms, ensuring that consumers are adequately informed and protected during the transition. This approach not only increases transparency but also empowers customers to make informed decisions, including early contract terminations if they choose not to migrate.

For instance, regulators such as Ofcom in the UK are gradually relaxing rules that obligate incumbents to provide wholesale access to their copper network. Instead, they are introducing obligations to offer access to their fiber networks. This includes progressively transferring existing regulation, such as price protection, from copper to fiber services in areas served by ultrafast exchanges. This shift is essential to transition wholesale obligations from copper to fiber access once sufficient coverage is reached, creating the right conditions for copper networks to be switched off.

Sarah McBride, Principal Analyst, Regulation, at Omdia, emphasizes that "It is this last piece that is most critical. Regulators are frequently ensuring that telcos protect consumers, especially vulnerable customers, by obligating them to issue formal notifications to wholesale and retail customers outlining timeframes, replacement products, and pricing terms. This increases transparency and empowers customers to make informed decisions, including early contract terminations if they choose not to migrate." This approach ensures that consumers are adequately informed and protected during the transition, making the process more transparent and customer-friendly.

The economic and environmental benefits of transitioning from copper to fiber networks are substantial. Fiber networks provide higher bandwidth and faster speeds, supporting advanced applications such as 5G, IoT, and smart cities. This transition can also lead to cost savings for telecommunications companies in the long run, as fiber networks require less maintenance and have a longer lifespan compared to copper networks. Environmentally, fiber networks are more energy-efficient and have a lower carbon footprint, contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

The copper retirement process aligns with broader sustainability goals and regulatory frameworks. It supports the goal of reducing e-waste, as copper networks are decommissioned and replaced with more sustainable fiber networks. It also promotes the efficient use of resources, as fiber networks require less raw material and energy to operate. Regulatory frameworks that incentivize the transition to fiber networks, such as the push and pull models adopted by national regulators, further support this process. For example, countries like Australia and Saudi Arabia have established national broadband network (NBN) companies to execute fiber deployment and copper switch-off, reducing execution risks and promoting infrastructure competition. Similarly, countries like Sweden and Egypt have incentivized fiber deployment for incumbents and uptake by consumers, encouraging customer migration and creating conditions for successful copper network retirement.

In conclusion, the transition from copper to fiber networks is a complex process that requires careful planning and execution. End-user awareness plays a crucial role in ensuring a smooth transition, and regulators are taking steps to protect consumers during this shift. The economic and environmental benefits of this transition are substantial, and it aligns with broader sustainability goals and regulatory frameworks. As countries around the world continue to outline their copper retirement plans, the emphasis on end-user awareness will be key to ensuring a successful transition.