What Verizon announced in Delaware

• PRI and Centrex withdrawn: Verizon’s Delaware product guide says, “On or after August 10, 2026, Verizon will withdraw all IntelliLinQ® PRI Services, Basic IntelliLinQ PRI Services and ISDN Primary Services” (Section 10B). It uses the same wording for all Centrex services (Section 18C).
• Existing contracts: customers under contract remain subject to their existing terms until the end of the contract term.
• Copper retirement in Kent and Sussex: a February 2026 notice says Verizon will “no longer offer services over copper facilities” and will “cease maintaining the copper facilities” in 16 wire centers: Dagsboro, Delmar, Felton, Frederica, Georgetown, Greenwood, Gumboro, Harrington, Hartly, Laurel, Milford, Millsboro, Milton, Rehoboth, Seaford, and Selbyville (Verizon notice 2026-01-A-DE).
• At the FCC: in August 2026, Verizon asked to discontinue copper-based phone lines in parts of nine states, including Delaware (FCC public notice). On September 25, the FCC said the request will not be granted automatically (FCC public notice).

Information as of October 31, 2026. Verizon had not published a shutoff date for Delaware PRI or Centrex service, and the FCC had not granted Verizon’s copper discontinuance request. Verizon and IntelliLinQ are trademarks of Verizon. USPBX is not affiliated with Verizon.

What it means for your business

Nothing stops working tomorrow. But a phone service your provider no longer offers is a service on borrowed time, and the next notice will arrive on Verizon’s schedule, not yours.

• No new lines. Adding a location, more PRI channels, or Centrex stations gets harder once the products are withdrawn.
• Aging equipment. Phone systems that depend on a PRI or Centrex are often the oldest equipment in the office.
• Your timing, not theirs. Moving now means a planned cutover with testing, not a scramble when a notice arrives.

Find out what local service is all about again

Verizon is focused on wireless and fiber. Phone service is all we do, with installation and support across Delaware.

Your Verizon service, replaced

• PRI (IntelliLinQ or ISDN Primary): SIP trunks to your current phone system, or a move to a cloud phone system if the hardware is aging.
• Centrex: a cloud phone system with extensions, auto-attendants, call queues, and mobile and desktop apps.
• Copper business lines: cloud phone lines. Fax, alarm, elevator, and other special-purpose lines are reviewed during the audit.
• Your 302 and toll-free numbers: ported with a coordinated cutover, so callers never notice the move.

How to move off Verizon without missing a call

1. Send us a recent Verizon bill and a list of your lines and numbers.
2. We audit every line, including PRI, Centrex, analog, fax, and alarm lines, and recommend the simplest replacement.
3. We set up your call flows and phones ahead of time, then submit the number port.
4. On port day we test inbound, outbound, 911 location, and voicemail with your staff, on site.
5. Cancel Verizon only after every number shows as ported.

Serving Wilmington, Newark, Dover, Middletown, Milford, Georgetown, and the rest of Delaware. Also on Lumen or CenturyLink voice? See Did Lumen say goodbye?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Verizon shutting off my Delaware business phone lines?

Verizon had not published a shutoff date for Delaware PRI or Centrex service when we checked on October 31, 2026, and it says customers under contract keep their existing terms until the contract ends. Separately, Verizon has asked the FCC for permission to discontinue copper-based phone lines in parts of nine states, including Delaware. The FCC had not granted that request when we checked, and said it would not be granted automatically.

What does it mean that Verizon withdrew PRI and Centrex in Delaware?

Verizon’s Delaware product guide says that on or after August 10, 2026, Verizon will withdraw all IntelliLinQ PRI, Basic IntelliLinQ PRI, and ISDN Primary services, and it uses the same wording for Centrex. Customers under contract remain subject to their existing terms until the end of the contract term. Ask Verizon in writing what happens to your lines after that.

Is my area part of Verizon’s copper retirement in Delaware?

Verizon’s February 2026 notice covers 16 wire centers in Kent and Sussex counties: Dagsboro, Delmar, Felton, Frederica, Georgetown, Greenwood, Gumboro, Harrington, Hartly, Laurel, Milford, Millsboro, Milton, Rehoboth, Seaford, and Selbyville. Wilmington, Newark, and Dover are not in that notice. Verizon publishes its copper retirement notices online, and we can check your address during a free audit.

Can I keep my 302 numbers?

Yes. Local and toll-free numbers can be ported. We submit the port with your signed Letter of Authorization and schedule a coordinated cutover, so your numbers stay the same. Porting is always free.

Can you replace a PRI on my existing phone system?

Yes. We can provide SIP trunks to your current phone system, or move you to a cloud phone system if the hardware is aging. Alarm, fax, elevator, and other special-purpose lines are reviewed during the free audit.

Should I cancel Verizon before switching?

No. Keep your Verizon service active until every number has ported, then cancel. Check your agreement for any remaining term.