Potential Impact of FCC 1972 on Your Legacy Copper Circuits – Effective 9/30/2022
On 8/2/2022, The FCC 1972 plan – passed back in 2019 – will go into effect. This means that carriers are no longer required to sell or support traditional copper lines, including POTS, PRI, T1, MPLS T1, T3 and DS3 circuits. This also means that carriers will have the ability re-rate monthly line pricing as well as well as disconnect legacy circuits with no more than 60 days’ notice.
While CU*Answers was previously aware that telephone companies were working towards a fiber-only future over the coming years, we are already seeing price increases and notice to disconnect for some credit unions.
How will this affect your connection to CU*Answers?
If you are utilizing a legacy, copper MPLS circuit from CU*Answers for CU*BASE connectivity, we will work with you to replace this with an alternative connectivity strategy. For those of you that have a VPN backup over an internet connection, we will be switching that backup to the primary connection over the next 60 days. If you do not have a VPN backup, we will reach out to you to discuss your options. If you are using a legacy connection type for VPN to CU*Answers such as DSL, T1, etc. you may also be affected. Our goal is to have all legacy copper MPLS circuits for clients disconnected by 3/31/2023.
CU*Answers Network Services has helped many credit unions update or adjust their connectivity strategies, both between credit union branches and CU*Answers – if you would like to arrange a time to discuss, please email netserv@cuanswers.com.
A note about redundancy
CU*Answers recommends credit unions have a backup data processing line. Having a redundant line provides additional protection against a failure of the primary line. CU*Answers recommends you add a second Internet service provider to your credit union as a backup of the primary carrier. After you add the second ISP, please contact the Help Desk and ask for the second ISP to be added as a backup for your VPN to CU*Answers. If you would like assistance identifying secondary internet options, please email netserv@cuanswers.com.
What about billing?
After Lumen disconnects your MPLS line and discontinues billing CU*Answers for it, you will see the data line charge drop off your invoice. Please allow 90 days for the charge to drop from your invoice, depending on when in the Lumen billing cycle the disconnect occurs. Once this charge drops from your invoice, it will be replaced by a $64/month VPN connectivity charge, which will be assessed per connected branch. In nearly all cases, this fee is less than the MPLS data line fee, so most credit unions should see a lower monthly cost after the disconnect.
What if I would like to maintain an MPLS connection? Am I out of luck?
Your site may qualify for an ethernet/fiber upgrade at an increased monthly cost. If you are interested, please contact netserv@cuanswers.com and request a quote for your site.
What else should I be considering regarding FCC 1972?
As this change affects all legacy copper circuits, please make sure your credit union is not using these connections in production, such as POTS lines for security systems, fax lines, ATM connectivity, DSL for internet service or a PRI for phone service. If you have questions or need assistance, please email netserv@cuanswers.com.
