US telecom regulators want to make it easier to upgrade phone networks

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) wants to remove rules that slow down upgrades to phone and internet networks. This would make it faster and cheaper for companies to replace old copper lines with modern fiber optic cables.

For decades, telecom companies had to follow rules designed for landline phones, even as they built internet networks. These rules made it expensive and slow to switch to newer technologies. This change means companies can now upgrade their infrastructure without as much red tape, which could speed up the rollout of faster internet and 5G services.