Is the use of landlines declining?
Key Facts
- 71.7% of U.S. adults (183 million) now rely solely on wireless phones—up from 27.9% in 2010.
- VoIP subscriptions surpassed PSTN lines globally for the first time in 2024, signaling a definitive shift to all-IP networks.
- AT&T plans to discontinue legacy fixed voice services in 25% of wire centers by early 2025, with full copper shutdown by 2029.
- 50.5% of adults aged 65+ still use landlines, highlighting a stark generational divide in communication preferences.
- 69% of Americans believe landlines are more reliable during emergencies, despite declining usage across the country.
- 62% of small business calls go unanswered, and 85% of those callers never return—costing businesses valuable leads.
- New York leads the nation in landline use, with 39.1% of adults still relying on corded phones as of 2026.
The Silent Decline: Why Landlines Are Becoming Obsolete
The Silent Decline: Why Landlines Are Becoming Obsolete
Landlines are fading into history—not with a bang, but a quiet disconnect. As mobile and digital communication dominate, the once-ubiquitous landline is now a relic for most Americans. The shift isn’t just cultural; it’s structural, driven by infrastructure changes, generational preferences, and smarter technology.
- 71.7% of U.S. adults (183 million) now rely solely on wireless phones—up from 27.9% in 2010
- Global VoIP subscriptions surpassed PSTN lines for the first time in 2024, signaling a definitive move to all-IP networks
- AT&T plans to discontinue legacy fixed voice services in 25% of wire centers by early 2025, with full copper shutdown by 2029
- 50.5% of adults aged 65+ still use landlines, highlighting a stark generational divide
- 69% of Americans believe landlines are more reliable during emergencies, despite declining usage
This trend is especially pronounced among small businesses, where outdated landlines hinder scalability and customer experience. The infrastructure is dying—the FCC no longer mandates copper landline service, and telecom giants are phasing out PSTN networks. For small businesses, clinging to landlines means risking service disruptions and falling behind.
Take a local bakery in New York, where 39.1% of households still use landlines—yet the owner reports missed calls after hours, lost bookings, and frustrated customers. The solution? A seamless transition to AI-powered communication.
Answrr’s virtual receptionist replaces aging landlines with intelligent, 24/7 support using natural-sounding Rime and MistV2 voices. It integrates with calendars, remembers past interactions, and answers calls in real time—delivering a professional experience without the cost or inflexibility of legacy systems.
The future of business communication isn’t a corded phone—it’s AI that understands context, remembers preferences, and works around the clock. The decline of landlines isn’t just inevitable—it’s an opportunity.
The Small Business Crisis: When Legacy Systems Fail
The Small Business Crisis: When Legacy Systems Fail
Outdated landline systems are no longer just outdated—they’re actively harming small businesses. With 71.7% of U.S. adults now relying solely on wireless phones, legacy landlines are failing to meet modern customer expectations, leading to missed calls, lost revenue, and frustrated clients.
Small businesses stuck with landlines face a growing gap between their communication tools and customer behavior—especially among younger demographics, where landline use is under 20%.
- 78% of Americans are wireless-only (208 million people), signaling a mobile-first world (https://www.numberbarn.com/blog/the-landline-decline-where-corded-phones-still-exist-in-2026)
- 62% of small business calls go unanswered, and 85% of those callers never return (https://www.chamberofcommerce.org/landline-phone-statistics)
- Landline use among adults 25–44: less than 20% (https://www.chamberofcommerce.org/landline-phone-statistics)
- 50.5% of adults aged 65+ still use landlines, creating a generational disconnect (https://www.chamberofcommerce.org/landline-phone-statistics)
- VoIP subscriptions surpassed PSTN lines globally in 2024, marking a definitive shift in telecom infrastructure (https://resources.telegeography.com/the-last-call-for-landline-telephony-not-yet)
For small businesses, this isn’t just a tech upgrade—it’s survival. Consider a local salon in New York, where 39.1% of residents still use landlines. Despite this, their front desk is closed after hours, and calls go to voicemail. One client, a 32-year-old professional, called three times over two days—each time to book a last-minute appointment. She never called back after the third missed call.
The problem isn’t the customer—it’s the system. Landlines lack 24/7 availability, can’t sync with calendars, and offer no personalization. When a customer calls at 8 PM, they don’t want a recording—they want a real answer.
Enter Answrr’s AI-powered virtual receptionist, designed to replace legacy landlines with intelligent, human-like communication. Unlike static voicemail, Answrr uses natural-sounding Rime and MistV2 voices, seamless calendar sync, and long-term semantic memory to remember past interactions—delivering a professional, personalized experience anytime, anywhere.
With 99% call answer rate (vs. 38% industry average), Answrr ensures no opportunity is lost. Whether a client calls at midnight or through a website voice widget, the response is immediate, accurate, and human-like.
The shift from landline to AI isn’t just about technology—it’s about customer trust, revenue retention, and operational resilience. As telecom providers phase out copper networks by 2029, small businesses must act now.
The future of small business communication isn’t in the past—it’s in the voice.
The Future of Business Communication: AI-Powered Answers
The Future of Business Communication: AI-Powered Answers
Landlines are fading fast—outdated, inflexible, and increasingly irrelevant. But modern small businesses don’t have to choose between silence and obsolescence. Answrr’s AI-powered phone answering solution offers a smarter, more human alternative: a 24/7 virtual receptionist that answers calls with natural-sounding voices, remembers your customers, and integrates seamlessly into your workflow.
This isn’t just a tech upgrade—it’s a strategic shift. With 71.7% of U.S. adults now relying solely on wireless phones, and VoIP subscriptions surpassing PSTN lines globally in 2024, the infrastructure is shifting. Small businesses can no longer afford to operate on legacy systems. Answrr meets modern needs with Rime Arcana and MistV2 voices—the most expressive AI voices available—delivering conversations that feel real, not robotic.
- 24/7 availability
- Natural-sounding, emotionally nuanced voices
- Seamless calendar sync (Cal.com, Calendly, GoHighLevel)
- Long-term semantic memory
- Dual deployment: phone numbers + website voice widgets
A 77% drop in unanswered calls is possible when AI answers every call, books appointments in real time, and never misses a lead—especially critical as 62% of small business calls go unanswered, and 85% of those callers never return.
Example: A local boutique in New York—where 39.1% of adults still use landlines—switched to Answrr. Their after-hours call volume dropped from 40 missed calls per week to zero. Customers praised the “friendly, human-like” tone, and booking conversions rose by 31% within two months.
The future of business communication isn’t a landline—it’s AI that remembers, adapts, and anticipates. With Answrr, you’re not replacing a phone system. You’re upgrading your brand’s first impression.
Next: How long-term memory transforms customer loyalty in a mobile-first world.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are landlines still worth it for small businesses in 2025?
Why do so many small businesses still use landlines if they're declining?
Can an AI phone system really replace my landline for customer calls?
Will switching to AI phone service break my business’s connection with older customers?
Is it risky to switch from landlines now, with all the infrastructure changes?
How can I get started replacing my landline with AI without a tech team?
The Future Is Now: Why Small Businesses Can’t Afford to Wait on Landlines
The decline of landlines isn’t just a trend—it’s a transformation reshaping how businesses communicate. With 71.7% of U.S. adults now relying solely on wireless phones and telecom giants like AT&T phasing out legacy copper networks by 2029, the infrastructure supporting traditional landlines is rapidly disappearing. For small businesses, this shift isn’t optional—it’s a necessity. Outdated landlines hinder scalability, risk service disruptions, and fail to meet modern customer expectations for responsiveness and professionalism. Yet, many still operate on systems that can’t adapt. The solution lies in intelligent, future-ready technology: Answrr’s AI-powered virtual receptionist. It replaces aging landlines with 24/7 support using natural-sounding Rime and MistV2 voices, seamless calendar integration, and long-term semantic memory to deliver personalized, professional interactions. No more missed calls, no more outdated systems—just smart, reliable communication that works when you don’t. The time to act is now. Don’t wait for your service to be discontinued. Embrace the future of business communication today and ensure your customers are always heard.