Services
Copper Switch-Off (CSO) & PSTN Decommissioning Assurance
Independent Audit, Gating Certification, and Technical Quality Assurance for Fibre Migrations
Decommissioning legacy copper PSTN/DSL networks and migrating millions of subscribers to all-IP FTTH infrastructure exposes operators and regulators to severe operational, technical, and compliance risks.
Novegen acts as a neutral, accredited third-party technical authority. We provide independent audit, milestone certification, and field-level quality assurance to help national regulatory authorities (NRAs), telecom operators, and public bodies execute copper switch-off (CSO) programmes with verified compliance and zero operational downtime.
Copper Switch-Off
What is Copper Switch-Off (CSO)?
Copper Switch-Off (CSO) refers to the structured, permanent decommissioning of legacy twisted-pair copper telecommunications infrastructure, including Public Switched Telephone Networks (PSTN), Integrated Services Digital Networks (ISDN), and copper-based DSL broadband (ADSL/VDSL), in favour of high-capacity, energy-efficient, all-IP Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) networks.
The Regulatory Imperative
With the European Commission targeting full copper retirement by 2030 and operators worldwide facing strict PSTN sunset mandates, transitioning legacy copper to all-IP FTTH is a high-stakes, heavily regulated process. Authorising exchange shutdowns requires meeting rigid coverage thresholds (typically 95%+ FTTH passed) and zero-downtime cutovers for mission-critical lines.
Core Service Capabilities
Independent Regulatory & Gating Verification
Before regulators grant approval to decommission legacy copper exchanges, operators must satisfy strict thresholds, including verifying that replacement FTTH networks meet mandatory coverage targets (e.g., 95%+ premises passed).
Eliminate Self-Certification Bias
Deliver independent, third-party audits verifying that replacement fibre networks are fully built, tested, and operational to SLA standards.
Exchange Gating Validation
Cross-reference GIS data, premise readiness, and physical field samples to certify exchange service footprints.
Audit-Proof Compliance
Provide formal regulatory defence dossiers accepted by state authorities to authorise copper cease-sale and withdrawal notices.
Core Service Capabilities
Mass Migration Quality Assurance (QA)
Rapidly transitioning thousands of premises per week from copper to fibre increases the risk of installation faults across drop cabling, optical splitting, and fusion splicing.
Field Plant Inspection
Deploy calibrated OTDR, insertion loss, and optical power testing across last-mile drops to identify micro-bends and connector defects.
Mission-Critical Line Protection
Enforce specialised validation protocols for priority connections, including analogue telecare/medical alarms, traffic management systems, and commercial point-of-sale (POS) terminals.
Zero-Failure Cutovers
Maintain near-zero initial provisioning failure rates and prevent post-migration fault escalations.
Core Service Capabilities
Open Access & Infrastructure Asset Management
When legacy copper is retired, wholesale network operators are legally required to offer equal, non-discriminatory network access to all Retail Service Providers (RSPs).
Neutral Telecommunications Management Agent (TMA)
Map, verify, and catalogue shared physical assets, including dark fibre, underground duct routes, utility poles, and optical distribution points (ODPs).
Physical Infrastructure Access (PIA) Audits
Conduct rapid physical condition and capacity audits to verify duct occupancy and pole load safety.
Dispute Mitigation
Establish a transparent, verified asset register to eliminate wholesale commercial friction between incumbent operators and AltNets.
Core Service Capabilities
Milestone Certification & Compliance Reporting
For state-subsidised rollouts and public broadband programmes, authorities require verified technical proof before releasing capital or permitting exchange closures.
ISO 9001:2015-Certified Audits
Provide rigorous, standardised technical audit trails required by government ministries and state investment bodies.
Capital Release Sign-Offs
Deliver unbiased milestone certifications tied directly to contractual KPIs and SLA targets to unlock funding tranches.
Voice & Interconnect Verification
Validate VoIP handoffs, number portability workflows, and inter-carrier interconnect integrity prior to legacy switch teardown.
Schedule a consultation Today!
Ensure your copper switch-off programme satisfies every regulatory threshold, protects vulnerable subscribers, and meets international technical standards.