Final answer:
Fiber optics technology, which uses optical fibers to carry laser signals, has virtually replaced copper wire in long-distance telephone lines due to its superior low loss, high bandwidth, and reduced crosstalk properties.
Step-by-step explanation:
The technology that has virtually replaced copper wire in long-distance telephone lines is fiber optics.
Fiber optics technology involves the use of optical fibers that carry laser signals, enabling the transmission of telephone conversations and Internet communications over long distances. Thanks to their low loss, high bandwidth, and reduced crosstalk characteristics, optical fibers offer several advantages over traditional copper wire systems. Unlike copper wires where signals travel as electrical pulses which can degrade over distance, optical fibers transmit data as light, which can travel many kilometers without significant loss of signal quality, and thus do not require amplification as often as copper cables.
This advancement in communication technology has also been supported by improvements that have enabled phone calls to be made via microwave transmission, communications satellites, and other wireless technologies, providing consumers with more choice, cheaper long-distance calls, and often better-quality phone service.