Luxembourg telecoms company Post Luxembourg has permanently retired ts analog fixed-line network.

The company finalized the decommissioning of its legacy copper network last week as part of Post's transition towards a network based entirely on Internet technologies (100 percent All-IP).

Introduced in the 1980s, EWSD (Elektronisches Wählsystem Digital, or Electronic Digital Switching System in English) was launched to support digital routing of telephone calls.

However, the technology is no longer able to match the demands for today's workloads and connectivity demands. This led Post to explore the widespread adoption of All-IP technologies and the deployment of fiber-optic networks.

Telcos across the world are pushing to shift away from copper networks in favor of fiber technology.

This has meant the gradual replacement of the legacy copper network, while simplifying network architecture, reducing maintenance costs, lowering energy consumption, and improving the quality of communication services.

"The decommissioning of EWSD brings an important chapter in Luxembourg's telecommunications history to a close," said Gaston Bohnenberger, director of Post Technologies.

"After nearly forty years of service, this technology is making way for a network based entirely on IP technologies. Thanks to the deployment of fiber optics, which now covers more than 92 percent of households across the country, Luxembourg has a high-performance fixed network capable of meeting the growing connectivity needs of both citizens and businesses."

Before EWSD, there was EMD (Edelmetall-Motor-Drehwähler) in the 1950s. This technology made it possible to progressively automate telephone call setup, bringing manual operations to an end.

Founded in 1842, state-owned Post (formerly P&T Luxembourg) offers postal and telecom services across Luxembourg, including fixed and wireless connectivity via Post Telecom (formerly LuxGSM).