On Oct. 13, 2026, a coalition of six European industry associations announced an alliance across the European Union to accelerate fiber-optic expansion by calling for an EU-backed roadmap to phase out copper networks, while the industry association Connect Europe opposed rigid EU-wide deadlines and advocated national oversight of the transition.
Push for a coordinated copper switch-off
The newly formed alliance is urging policymakers to establish a clear, time-bound framework for retiring legacy copper access networks in favor of fiber. The group argues that a predictable roadmap would give investors—particularly alternative network providers (altnets)—the certainty needed to scale fiber builds and efficiently migrate customers. Their position highlights persistent friction in many EU markets, where overlapping copper and fiber networks prolong operating costs and complicate service migration. A structured copper withdrawal plan, the alliance contends, would align wholesale and retail processes, reduce stranded asset risk, and help prioritize resources for gigabit-capable infrastructure.
Deadlines vs. national discretion
Connect Europe voiced support for fiber acceleration but rejected blanket EU deadlines, contending that member states differ in topology, competitive dynamics, and the maturity of fiber deployments. The association favors nationally led oversight, arguing that national regulators are best placed to calibrate milestones, safeguard service continuity, and ensure fair access terms during migration. That position underscores a longstanding policy debate: pan-EU consistency can reduce fragmentation and cost, but local discretion can better account for legacy footprints, density variations, and consumer protection needs.
What it means for wire and cable suppliers
For wire and cable manufacturers, a copper switch-off roadmap—whether EU-level or nationally administered—would influence planning cycles across the telecom supply chain. A firmer timeline typically front-loads demand for fiber cable, connectivity hardware, closures, and in-building solutions, while accelerating the decline of copper-based telecom cable demand. It could also shape product mix, with operators favoring high-fiber-count cable for dense urban rebuilds and ruggedized drop solutions for challenging last-mile scenarios. Clear milestones would help suppliers align capacity, buffer inventories for peak build seasons, and coordinate logistics with installers and contractors.
Key implementation considerations
- Migration safeguards: Sequencing copper decommissioning after adequate fiber coverage, backhaul redundancy, and customer notification to avoid service disruption.
- Wholesale alignment: Harmonizing access products and pricing to steer migration without penalizing smaller ISPs.
- Rural balance: Ensuring timelines account for low-density areas where fiber builds face higher unit costs and permitting delays.
- Sustainability: Decommissioning plans that responsibly recover and recycle network materials while lowering long-term energy use versus copper-based systems.
Bottom line
Whether the EU adopts a single framework or defers to national pathways, stakeholders appear aligned on direction: fiber must become the default access medium. For the wire and cable sector, the timing and structure of copper retirement—not just the destination—will determine near-term demand patterns, capacity planning, and project risk.
