As we've previously discussed, Verizon either pulls or just stops supporting last mile copper infrastructure when they install fiber at your home, making it "impossible" to switch back to Verizon DSL or competing services if you ask. That's a big deal to CLECs, who are concerned that the move strips them of potential customers as incumbents snag FTTH customers and lock those households in to FiOS (even with a change in owner). The Office of Advocacy of the US Small Business Administration has asked the FCC to explore the way ILECs retire their copper infrastructure.

Verizon had this to say on the subject to CNET back in 2005:

"Once we install fiber to a home, it stays there. We aren't going to take down the fiber and reinstall copper, but people can still get their single-line, no-frills Verizon phone service over the fiber network for the same amount as the folks still served by copper, if that's what they want. Our FTTP network is likely to be even more reliable than their already-reliable Verizon copper-based phone service."

Can any FiOS customers comment on whether their copper infrastructure is still in place? Has anyone attempted to move back to copper? Has anyone gotten FiOS but left a competing traditional landline service active?