If this happened in my community, the wireless network would be overloaded by the 5000 or so new subscribers. Not only that, but eliminating copper would also get rid of that many potential DSL customers that CenturyLink is trying to recruit. I don't see it happening here anytime soon.
What Phil said! I've seen several upgrades and expansions made to a phone box down the street (including a new foundation and the installation of a power meter) in the past few years, and have assumed all along it had to do with DSL. So a lot of my neighbors and family members have stopped using - and answering - their landline phones, but keep them because they're a freebie that comes with DSL. Quite a change of emphasis in a very short time.
Comments
http://news.yahoo.com/us-eyes-phase-old-telephone-network-023742404.html
Make sure to read the comments for the various opinions.
-Phil