The copper network, the historical support for landline telephony in France, is gradually shutting down since 2023. In January 2026, several hundred municipalities will permanently lose access to this network. For seniors who do not have an internet box or smartphone, the question is not about choosing a handset, but about maintaining a functional line without an internet connection at home.
Closure of copper and landline phone: what changes technically in 2026
The switched telephone network (PSTN), and then ADSL, used pairs of copper wires connecting each home to the telephone exchange. The closure of copper removes the physical support for the traditional landline. In practical terms, the voice signal can no longer travel over the old network.
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Two replacement technologies coexist: fiber optics and mobile networks. Fiber requires an internet box at home. The mobile network works with a SIM card, in a mobile phone or in a fixed device plugged into the mains.
The trap for seniors who want a landline without internet lies in this transition. Without copper, a wired handset connected to the wall socket no longer produces a dial tone. A relay is needed, either a box or a device compatible with the mobile network. Affected subscribers can discover Senior News in detail to understand the offers still available from Orange and elsewhere.
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Mobile plan without internet for seniors: the simplest option
The most common solution after the end of copper is switching to a mobile voice-only plan, with no commitment and no internet. Orange, SFR, Bouygues Telecom, and several virtual operators offer plans with unlimited calls or with a sufficient call volume for limited daily use.
The mobile phone used does not need to be a smartphone. Devices with large buttons, amplified ringtones, and SOS buttons are available from several manufacturers. These handsets accept a standard SIM card and do not offer a web browser or applications.
What to check before subscribing
- The mobile network coverage at the home address: some rural areas remain poorly served, making the mobile plan unusable indoors.
- The presence of unlimited calls to landlines and mobiles, without hidden costs or long-term commitment.
- The compatibility of the phone with the frequencies of the chosen operator (notably 4G voice, called VoLTE, which is gradually replacing 2G).
A mobile plan without internet generally costs less than a fixed subscription via fiber box. For a senior who makes a few calls a day, this option meets the primary need without radically changing habits.
Fixed device on mobile network: keep your handset without internet box
For those very attached to their wired or DECT cordless handset, there are fixed telephony boxes on mobile networks. The principle: a small device equipped with a SIM card plugs into the mains and offers a standard phone socket. The usual handset connects to it as before.
The call is routed through the mobile network, but the user picks up and dials a number just like on the old copper network. Some boxes allow you to keep the historical landline number thanks to portability.
This solution is not often highlighted by operators, who prefer to direct customers towards more profitable fiber box offers. However, it suits a specific profile: a single person, with no need for internet, living in an area well-covered by the mobile network.
Teleassistance and the end of copper: a risk often underestimated
The landline phone for seniors is not only used for making calls. Many teleassistance devices (medallions, bracelets, fall detectors) were connected to the copper line to transmit an alert to a monitoring center. The closure of copper renders these old teleassistance devices inoperative.
Replacing the phone without checking the compatibility of the alert system exposes the person to a false sense of security. The teleassistance box appears to be connected, the light stays on, but the alert no longer goes to the reception center.
Points to check on a teleassistance device
- Does the box operate on an integrated mobile network (SIM card) or does it require an analog fixed line?
- Has the teleassistance provider planned a migration to fiber or mobile-compatible equipment?
- Is the alert transmission time guaranteed on the new network (some IP boxes add latency)?
Before changing the telephone line, the first check concerns the security device, not the handset. A call to the teleassistance provider is enough to find out if the equipment needs to be replaced.
Orange landline without box: the last offer on the market
As of today, Orange remains the only operator to offer a standalone landline offer without an internet subscription. Other operators (SFR, Bouygues Telecom, Free) require a fiber box package that includes telephony.
This Orange offer allows you to keep a landline number and a handset connected to the fiber box, but without subscribing to a full internet plan. The monthly rate exceeds that of a mobile voice-only plan, making it less competitive financially.
For a senior who refuses mobile and lives in a fiber-covered area, this formula represents the only direct continuity with the old fixed subscription. In non-fiber municipalities and areas without mobile coverage, the situation is more complex: satellite devices or radio telephony solutions exist, but their deployment remains marginal.
The choice between mobile plan, fixed device on mobile network, and Orange landline depends on three parameters: network coverage at home, the presence of a teleassistance device to migrate, and the degree of attachment to the existing handset. Checking these three points before any subscription avoids unpleasant surprises after the copper shutdown.