Kinetic begins modernizing copper telephone network with advanced wireless digital technology

Rhea-AI Summary

Kinetic (NYSE:UNIT) has announced a strategic partnership with 10T Solutions to modernize its copper-based telephone infrastructure across seven states. The initiative will convert traditional copper landlines to 5G wireless digital home-phone technology using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).

The transformation will be implemented in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Missouri. The upgrade comes at no cost to customers and maintains compatibility with existing phones while adding features like voicemail, caller ID, call forwarding, and spam protection. The rollout will prioritize customers experiencing service interruptions due to copper theft or vandalism.

Positive

• Modernization to 5G wireless digital technology improves service reliability and security
• Free upgrade for customers with added features like voicemail and spam protection
• Strategic solution to address copper theft and vandalism issues
• Multi-carrier wireless solution provides built-in redundancy

Negative

• Phased implementation approach may result in delayed upgrades for some customers

Insights

Telecommunications Infrastructure Analyst

Kinetic's copper-to-wireless transition reduces maintenance costs while improving service reliability and adding revenue opportunities through enhanced features.

Kinetic is taking a strategic step to address the declining copper network infrastructure by partnering with 10T Solutions to convert traditional landline telephone services to 5G wireless VoIP technology across seven states. This modernization effort represents a significant operational pivot that addresses multiple challenges simultaneously.

The transition away from copper lines delivers several important benefits: First, it reduces the substantial maintenance costs associated with aging copper infrastructure. Second, it eliminates vulnerability to copper theft and vandalism—increasingly common problems that create service interruptions and generate customer dissatisfaction. Third, it enables additional revenue streams through enhanced features like voicemail, caller ID, and spam protection.

This modernization follows industry trends where telecom providers are abandoning costly legacy copper networks. For Kinetic, the phased approach is prudent—prioritizing areas with service interruptions minimizes transition risks while targeting the customers most likely to appreciate the reliability improvements. The no-cost upgrade approach with compatibility for existing phones reduces customer friction and potential churn during the transition.

The partnership with 10T Solutions provides Kinetic with specialized expertise in fixed wireless access solutions and multi-carrier redundancy, likely reducing the capital expenditure required compared to a self-built solution. This allows Kinetic to accelerate the copper-to-digital transition while preserving capital for their broader fiber deployment initiatives. The modernization positions Kinetic to eventually sunset copper maintenance entirely in these regions, significantly improving long-term operational efficiency.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark., Sept. 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kinetic, a leading residential and business fiber internet provider across 18 states, today announced a new partnership with 10T Solutions that allows it to convert copper-based telephone service in seven states to 5G wireless digital home-phone technology.

The transition of these copper landlines to digital Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) will enhance reliability and security, deliver greater value to customers, and unlock calling features such as voicemail, caller ID, call forwarding, and spam call protection.

Current states for this phase of this project include Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Missouri.

“Digital home phone service will bring more reliability and better experiences for our customers,” said Jeff Austin, Kinetic’s executive vice president and president of Shared Services. “Working with 10T Solutions, we’re ensuring a smooth, well-communicated transition that maintains service continuity and positions customers for the future with products they want and need.

The new offering will be available beginning today and expanded to multiple markets in a phased approach. The initial focus will prioritize customers who experience a service interruption, whether it’s due to copper theft, vandalism or some other reason, to receive digital service. There will be no changes to customers’ ability to use existing phones because of this upgrade and no charges to customers for the upgrade—just increased service reliability.

”We're thrilled to partner with Kinetic to help bring their customers into the future of telecommunications,” said Jatin Garg, CEO of 10T Solutions. “The copper infrastructure is no match for today's needs. Our multi-carrier wireless POTS replacement and FWA (Fixed Wireless Access) solutions provide a seamless and reliable upgrade, offering a future-proof network with built-in redundancy that delivers a superior experience.”

For more information on transitioning to fiber internet and a superior online experience, visit gokinetic.com.

About Kinetic:
Kinetic, a business unit of Uniti (NASDAQ: UNIT), is a premier insurgent provider of multi-gigabit fiber internet, whole-home Wi-Fi, internet security, and voice services in 1,400 markets across 18 states in the Southwestern, Southeastern, Midwestern and Northeastern U.S. Additional information about Kinetic is available at gokinetic.com.

About 10T Solutions:
10T Solutions is a US-based provider of IoT Products and Solutions, delivered through channel partners. 10T's mantra is "Making IoT Work". 10T founders have over 25 years of experience and success in IoT / M2M connected products in Industrial, Enterprise, Supply Chain, Government, Healthcare and many proven verticals. The company excels in delivering successful deployments of large-scale connected products in critical business applications. 10T's solutions and services allow partners and customers to realize ROI benefits, fast time to market and a lower TCO. For more information visit: https://10tsolutions.com

Kinetic Contact:
Megan Krtek
windstream.kinetic.pr@windstream.com

FAQ

What states is Kinetic (UNIT) upgrading its copper telephone network in?

Kinetic is upgrading its network in seven states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Missouri.

How much will Kinetic customers have to pay for the digital phone upgrade?

The upgrade to digital phone service will be provided at no cost to customers, and they can continue using their existing phones.

What new features will Kinetic's digital phone service include?

The new service will include features such as voicemail, caller ID, call forwarding, and spam call protection.

Who is Kinetic partnering with for the copper network modernization?

Kinetic is partnering with 10T Solutions to convert copper-based telephone service to 5G wireless digital home-phone technology.

When will Kinetic's digital phone service upgrade begin?

The service is available immediately, with a phased rollout prioritizing customers experiencing service interruptions due to copper theft or vandalism.