Telecommunications company AT&T plans to eliminate traditional landline phone service to nearly all of the U.S. in its service area over the next five years.

In a statement made as part of a presentation to investors, AT&T said it will retire the old copper infrastructure used to support landlines by 2029 as it continues to expand its much faster fiber networks.

“While building the network of the future, the company is actively working to exit its legacy copper network operations across the large majority of its wireline footprint by the end of 2029,” AT&T said, adding it will reach about 50 million total locations with fiber service by that time.

AT&T provides traditional landline service in 21 states, including Alabama, according to a report in USA Today. The decision to end landline service will affect all but one state, California, where AT&T is required to provide it by law.

AT&T EVP Susan Johnson told PC Magazine only 5% of residential customers are currently using copper voice technology. Phasing out its use will reduce the company’s maintenance cost by about 35% while also slashing electricity use.

“The copper network is very inefficient,” Johnson said. “We are seeing declining reliability with storms and increased copper theft. Copper simply does not do well with water and flooding. And repairs are very labor-intensive. And unlike fiber, copper is an energy hog.”

A spokesperson told USA Today no customers will lose voice or 911 service as it works through the transition. The company is also working with states and the Federal Communications Commission. Among the new options would be AT&T – Advanced, which, according to the report in USA Today, would allow a jack to be plugged into an existing landline plug that would connect to the provider’s wireless network. The cost would be about $45 a month as compared to $80 a month for the average residential landline package.

The product is compatible with other equipment that depends on landline service, such as fax machines, medical monitoring devices, alarm systems and elevators.