TDC NET starts closing the copper network

The time has come to say goodbye to the copper network, and it will happen steadily up until 2029. The copper network is an old technology that has connected us for more than 140 years, first by telephony and later also by broadband. But gradually, more future-proof solutions have taken over, as they are more able to live up to the growing digital demands of the Danes.

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The copper network is being closed in a few areas at a time

TDC NET has begun closing the copper network in the first ten areas of the country with a total of 5,500 users. We are working together with providers of telephony and internet services in these areas, and we are doing our best to transfer customers to new internet solutions such as fiber or through the TV socket. Every affected customer will be notified when the copper network is closed. If you are one of the affected customers, you will be notified by your service provider beforehand so that you can be transferred to a new solution on landline, internet and TV.

See questions and answers concerning the closing

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The work continues until 2029

The plan is to have closed the last copper connections by 2029. It has not yet been decided when the given areas will be closed. Among other factors, it depends on the experiences that we acquire in the time to come. We will continuously inform providers of telephony and internet services of the upcoming copper closings. In that way, service providers are able to ensure that customers in households and businesses experience the best possible transition to other internet technologies.


See our press release

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An era is ending

It is a great era that is slowly coming to an end. When the businessman C. F. Tietgen started connecting Denmark through the copper network in 1882, he could hardly have imagined the revolution it would be to Danes. The copper adventure started when the very first telephone line was installed in the old stock exchange building in Copenhagen. 2001 became a high point for the copper network in Denmark. With approximately 230,000 kilometers of underground copper cables, the copper network was the main communication channel which made it possible for almost 3.8 million Danes to pick up the phone and call each other. Now, evolution has moved towards new technologies, and today, only 150,000 Danes own a landline telephone through the copper network, and approximately 300,000 Danes have internet via copper.

Read more about the history of the copper network

The Danes are under digital expansion

It is an entirely natural evolution when new and improved technologies gradually take over. Faster and more stable broadband connections are spreading and have outpaced the copper network which no longer lives up to our new demands.

Every year, nearly 100,000 Danes replace their old copper connection with new, more stable and secure highspeed internet such as fiber and internet through the TV socket (coax). Over just a few years, our digital habits have changed:

  • In many homes, the internet is constantly in use. TV, thermostats, alarm devices, computers, tablets – even refrigerators use internet today. It requires a future-proof connection.
  • We are streaming, gaming, surfing, working from home – or doing it all at once – and the copper network struggles to keep up.
  • With fiber and internet through the TV socket, we are able to have a secure and stable highspeed internet which is ready for our digital demands both now and in the future.
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”The copper network has served us all well during an important time for Denmark, and we have reason to take our hat off for a technology that has been operational for such a long time. The past years, Danes have, however, chosen new and stronger technologies – particularly fiber and coax – and deselected the copper network. For that reason, it no longer makes sense to maintain the copper network in Denmark.”

Robert Dogonowski, Chief Commercial Officer at TDC NET

Questions and answers

The copper network: an important connection in the history of Denmark

1882

The first copper wire is switched on

Denmark had its first telephone line in 1892. The businessman C. F. Tietgen had the installation made through copper wire in the old stock exchange building in the heart of Copenhagen. Even with his acute business talent and interest for new technologies, he most certainly couldn’t have imagined which revolution it would be for Danes. Or that the copper network would still be in use more than 140 years later.

2001

The copper network peaks

The culmination of the copper network evolution happens in 2001. With approximately 230,000 kilometers of underground copper cables, the copper network were the most important communication channel in Denmark and made it possible for almost 3.8 million Danes to pick up the phone and call each other.

Annie Spratt Czkfw06ax 8 Unsplash Min

2020s

The phase-out is prepared

The past years, in co-operation with providers of telephony and internet services, TDC NET has been preparing thoroughly and acquiring important experiences with closing of the copper network. We’ve become wiser about how to transfer customers to new technologies in a sensible and secure manner.

In 2022, we carried out a pilot project on Askø where we closed the copper network in a minor area. The pilot project provided us with valuable insights which, along with the last preparation work, have geared us up for beginning the phase-out of the copper network.

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1880s and 90s

The state gets a monopoly hold over telephony

At the end of the century, several local telephone companies were established around the largest cities in the country, and at the turn of the century, a total of 57 telephone companies existed in Denmark. The telephone had become an important form of communication, and in 1897, the state had a monopoly hold over constructing and managing telephony.

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2010s

The popularity plunges

I takt med udbredelsen af nye og forbedrede teknologier dropper flere og flere danskere kobberteknologien til fordel for hurtige og stabile internetforbindelser eksempelvis via fiber eller gennem tv-stikket.

I dag er det kun cirka 150.000, der har fastnettelefon, mens cirka 300.000 bruger kobbernettet som internetforbindelse. Alene i 2023 skiftede 100.000 kunder deres bredbånd og 45.000 deres fastnettelefoni til en nyere teknologi. Myndighedernes seneste analyser viser, at allerede i 2025 vil 98-99 % af danskerne vil have adgang til lynhurtigt internet (1 gigabyte downloadhastighed), primært på fiber.

2024

Closing of the copper network begins

TDC NET takes the first important step and begins closing the copper network in ten areas with approximately 5,500 customers. Seven of the areas are in North Zealand, and three of the areas are near Roskilde, Greve and Odense.

The co-operation with providers of telephony and internet services continues, so that we are continuously able to become wiser and together solve the challenges that might occur.

2029

The last copper connection will be turned off

The plan is to have closed all areas with copper network and thereby turn off the last connections on the copper network during 2029.

When the entire copper network has been closed, we expect that the 300,000 current customers on the copper network will have been transferred to a more stable, secure and fast broadband connection. A connection that is far more able to cover the growing digital demands in households both now and in the future.

1882

The first copper wire is switched on

Denmark had its first telephone line in 1892. The businessman C. F. Tietgen had the installation made through copper wire in the old stock exchange building in the heart of Copenhagen. Even with his acute business talent and interest for new technologies, he most certainly couldn’t have imagined which revolution it would be for Danes. Or that the copper network would still be in use more than 140 years later.

1880s and 90s

The state gets a monopoly hold over telephony

At the end of the century, several local telephone companies were established around the largest cities in the country, and at the turn of the century, a total of 57 telephone companies existed in Denmark. The telephone had become an important form of communication, and in 1897, the state had a monopoly hold over constructing and managing telephony.

D8d3a8f9 9B15 436A Bded 99Ed28e39aa0 (1)

2001

The copper network peaks

The culmination of the copper network evolution happens in 2001. With approximately 230,000 kilometers of underground copper cables, the copper network were the most important communication channel in Denmark and made it possible for almost 3.8 million Danes to pick up the phone and call each other.

Annie Spratt Czkfw06ax 8 Unsplash Min

2010s

The popularity plunges

I takt med udbredelsen af nye og forbedrede teknologier dropper flere og flere danskere kobberteknologien til fordel for hurtige og stabile internetforbindelser eksempelvis via fiber eller gennem tv-stikket.

I dag er det kun cirka 150.000, der har fastnettelefon, mens cirka 300.000 bruger kobbernettet som internetforbindelse. Alene i 2023 skiftede 100.000 kunder deres bredbånd og 45.000 deres fastnettelefoni til en nyere teknologi. Myndighedernes seneste analyser viser, at allerede i 2025 vil 98-99 % af danskerne vil have adgang til lynhurtigt internet (1 gigabyte downloadhastighed), primært på fiber.

2020s

The phase-out is prepared

The past years, in co-operation with providers of telephony and internet services, TDC NET has been preparing thoroughly and acquiring important experiences with closing of the copper network. We’ve become wiser about how to transfer customers to new technologies in a sensible and secure manner.

In 2022, we carried out a pilot project on Askø where we closed the copper network in a minor area. The pilot project provided us with valuable insights which, along with the last preparation work, have geared us up for beginning the phase-out of the copper network.

TDC NET Hjemmearbejdsplads Mand Closeup Bærbar Ved Spisebord Low Srgb

2024

Closing of the copper network begins

TDC NET takes the first important step and begins closing the copper network in ten areas with approximately 5,500 customers. Seven of the areas are in North Zealand, and three of the areas are near Roskilde, Greve and Odense.

The co-operation with providers of telephony and internet services continues, so that we are continuously able to become wiser and together solve the challenges that might occur.

2029

The last copper connection will be turned off

The plan is to have closed all areas with copper network and thereby turn off the last connections on the copper network during 2029.

When the entire copper network has been closed, we expect that the 300,000 current customers on the copper network will have been transferred to a more stable, secure and fast broadband connection. A connection that is far more able to cover the growing digital demands in households both now and in the future.

Do you have more questions? Contact our customer support for help.

Do you want to know more? 7010 3000

Contact Customer Support 7010 3000