Proposed Discontinuation of Legacy Phone Service
Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Public Service announced Thursday that on December 23, 2025, Consolidated Communications of Vermont Company (CCVT), LLC, which does business as Fidium, filed a petition with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
The petition requests permission to discontinue traditional landline phone service (also known as legacy voice service) in certain areas of Vermont. All the exchanges are in Windham County, with the exception of St Johnsbury in Caledonia, County.
Affected Areas
The petition applies to the following exchanges:
- Jacksonville
- Jamaica
- St. Johnsbury
- Newfane (including Williamsville)
- Wardsboro
What This Means
In these areas, Fidium has replaced much of its older copper phone network with fiber-optic infrastructure. The FCC webpage Tech Transitions: Network Upgrades That May Affect Your Service | Federal Communications Commission provides more information about this infrastructure and transition process.
Where fiber service is available, Fidium proposes to transition customers from traditional landline phone service to a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone service. VoIP phone service uses an internet connection instead of copper phone lines. Please visit the FCC webpage Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) | Federal Communications Commission for more information about VoIP services.
There are limitations to VoIP service in the event of a power outage. Visit the department’s webpage Voice Services over Non-Powered Facilities | Department of Public Service for information and tips to stay informed and connected during power outages. The FCC also provides details about the battery backup options service providers offer on their webpage 24 Hour Home Backup Power Requirement | Federal Communications Commission.
Current Service Information
According to the petition:
- Approximately 6,404 locations in the affected areas have access to fiber service.
- Approximately 1,640 customers currently subscribe to legacy landline phone service in those areas.
Proposed Timing
Fidium is seeking approval to discontinue legacy landline phone service on or after March 24, 2026, following FCC approval.
More Information
The FCC filing is available on the FCC’s Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS).
Customers affected by this change should have received a letter or email from Fidium with more information and next steps.
For questions, please contact Consolidated Communications / Fidium Fiber at 866-573-1221 or visit FidiumFiber.com.
1.15.2026. Vermont Department of Public Service https://publicservice.vermont.gov/
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