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Copper phone line retirement in Cedar Rapids, IA

CenturyLink (Lumen), which serves the Cedar Rapids exchange, has filed with the FCC to retire copper phone service in portions of Iowa, as of August 24, 2026.

The filing covers parts of Iowa and doesn't list addresses, so your line may or may not be included. CenturyLink (Lumen) has to notify customers before it changes their service.

Get a plan for your lines Check a specific line

Or call 623-307-5548

What has been filed

  • Legacy voice service

    As of August 24, 2026 · Approved automatically

    CenturyLink (Lumen) has asked the FCC for permission to stop offering legacy voice service in portions of Iowa, as of August 24, 2026.

    Nothing stopped this request, so under FCC rules it was approved automatically on August 24, 2026. The phone company still has to notify customers before it changes their service. FCC notice

    FCC docket 26-176 (at the FCC) · covers portions of the state

  • Legacy voice service

    As of October 18, 2026 · Approved automatically

    CenturyLink (Lumen) has asked the FCC for permission to stop offering legacy voice service in portions of Iowa, as of October 18, 2026.

    Nothing stopped this request, so under FCC rules it was approved automatically on October 18, 2026. The phone company still has to notify customers before it changes their service. FCC notice

    FCC docket 26-242 (at the FCC) · covers portions of the state

Get an email when another filing names Cedar Rapids, IA

Phone companies file new requests every week. We check the FCC every day and only email when your area comes up.

We'll email you a link to confirm first; nothing is sent until you click it. Filing alerts only for the areas you pick, and updates only if you tick the box. When a filing names your area, someone from our team may email you once to see if you need help. Every email has a link to stop them. Privacy

Areas served by the Cedar Rapids exchange

Besides Cedar Rapids, the exchange serves Bertram, Hiawatha, Marion, Robins and Toddville.

ZIP codes: 52233, 52401, 52402, 52403, 52404, 52405. Exchange boundaries don't follow ZIP codes exactly, so check your phone number to be sure.

What usually runs on these lines

  • Fire alarm and security panels that dial out
  • Elevator emergency phones
  • Fax machines
  • Gate and call boxes
  • Card terminals and ATMs
  • Main business lines and phone systems

While you're moving off copper

Your phones

If your business phones are on CenturyLink or Lumen copper lines, this is a good time to move them to a cloud phone system. You keep your numbers, and calls ring on desk phones, computers and cell phones.

See phone systems

Your internet

If your internet is DSL from CenturyLink or Lumen, it runs over the same copper. And once your phones and alarms run over the internet or cellular, an outage affects all of them. We compare the providers that serve your address, and can add cellular backup so things keep working when the line is down.

Compare internet options About cellular backup

Get a plan for your lines in Cedar Rapids

Tell us what runs on your CenturyLink or Lumen lines. We'll tell you which are affected and what we'd replace them with: business VoIP for phones and fax, and Ooma AirDial for alarm panels, elevator phones and other equipment. No obligation.

Prefer to talk? Call 623-307-5548.

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Rather talk it through? Book a 30-minute call.

Questions about Cedar Rapids, IA

When is CenturyLink (Lumen) retiring copper phone lines in Cedar Rapids, IA?

CenturyLink (Lumen), which serves the Cedar Rapids exchange, has filed with the FCC to retire copper phone service in portions of Iowa, as of August 24, 2026. The filing covers parts of Iowa and doesn't list addresses, so a line in Cedar Rapids may or may not be included. CenturyLink (Lumen) has to notify customers before it changes their service.

How can I tell if my line in Cedar Rapids is affected?

Check the phone number with our free line check, which matches it to its telephone exchange and the FCC filings that cover it, and watch for a written notice from CenturyLink or Lumen. Filings that cover "portions" of a state don't list addresses, so the notice is the final word.

What happens to alarm, elevator and fax lines in Cedar Rapids?

Anything that runs on a copper line stops working when the line does, so it has to move first. Phones and fax usually move to business VoIP. Fire alarm panels, elevator phones, gates and similar equipment usually move to a cellular replacement such as Ooma AirDial, tested with your alarm or elevator company before the copper line is cancelled.

Nearby areas

More: every Lumen (CenturyLink) filing · copper retirement timeline · all Iowa towns · business internet options in Cedar Rapids

Updated November 2, 2026 from public FCC filings and telephone exchange data. Not legal or regulatory advice.