Unified Communications as a Service, UCaaS For Small Businesses
Copper Sunset: A Complete Guide to POTS Replacement
Plain Old Telephone Service— POTS Unsustainable!
Now is the Time to Act
Why?
Plain Old Telephone Service—better known as POTS, or analog phone lines—isn’t just aging.
The technology is officially being shown the door.
Originally built for the era of rotary dials and busy signals, POTS has been the workhorse of voice communication for over a century. Times have changed, and the telecom industry has decided it’s finally time to cut the cord—literally. And this means it’s time to take action.
In this guide, we’ll explore what’s happening with POTS, and the leading suppliers who are ushering in the next era of connectivity
Wait, what’s going on with POTS lines?
Carriers are actively decommissioning copper line infrastructure across the United States, and they’re not being subtle about it. Here’s a breakdown of the current situation:
- Analog maintenance costs are currently through the roof. Many providers have stopped fixing POTS lines altogether, resulting in performance issues and service gaps.
- The technicians who know how to fix POTS lines are retiring faster than you can say “landline.” Providers would much rather invest in fiber, wireless, and IP-based systems that don’t require a PhD in analog signals to maintain. “66”, “110”, “punch down” and all the familiar terms for POTS lines are a mystery to newer technicians.
- The FCC no longer requires providers to offer or support POTS. High monthly bills for old-school phone lines are the new norm—and the situation won’t improve
What?
In 2019, the FCC deregulated copper lines, allowing suppliers to phase out support.
When?
FCC Order 19-72A1 ordered the shift to the newer alternatives. Carriers have been taking advantage of this to re-allocate, and invest resources in other technologies.
Why?
The goal is to replace old infrastructure with modern technologies such as fiber and wireless, to better support modern digital applications.
Bottom Line
Carriers are no longer required to cover the expense and burden of maintaining old copper networks. That burden has been passed on to the consumer.
So, why should you care?
Many companies still rely on POTS lines to support critical systems including:
- Fire and burglar alarms
- Elevator emergency phones
- Fax machines (yes, they still exist)
- Point-of-sale terminals, and more.
This is particularly true in the public sector and higher education verticals.
When the copper goes, so does the functionality of those systems—unless you have a replacement plan. This means alarms may stop working, emergency elevator lines could go silent, and critical business operations may come to a halt.
Candidly, the existing infrastructure is a mess.
Nothing is being maintained, repair tickets are being ignored, and many businesses are paying for services that don’t even work. In short:
- Risk exposure is accelerating
- Outdated services are costing companies money
- Liability is increasing
Failing to act doesn’t just threaten business operations—it puts people at risk. Now is the time to assess your situation and potential next steps.
POTS Replacement: A Quick Overview
Fiber Optic Internet
"POTS replacement" is an umbrella term encompassing a variety of modern solutions like LTE-based wireless systems, voice over internet protocol (VoIP), and fiber-based alternatives.
These technologies are built for the 21st century, meaning they’re more reliable and scalable, and designed to support legacy analog equipment while running over digital networks.
Many include:
- Battery backup
- Prioritize Quality of Service (QoS)
- And comply with life safety and E911 standards
Making them a smart—and necessary—choice for regulated industries and mission-critical applications.
VoIP Phone Service
In addition, as two of the examples above (elevator, fire alarm) illustrate, analog lines are often deployed in areas of security and life safety. As these lines are no longer being maintained, companies are potentially incurring substantial risk. In the event of an emergency, what happens if a system relying on an old, non- maintained, analog line doesn’t function?
What kind of liability might that business be subject to? Many don’t consider these questions when making changes.
Finally, on a more positive note, transitioning from POTS to one of the replacement solutions has the potential to save thousands of dollars. Once the FCC stopped
Less Expensive
Less Expensive
regulating the price of POTS lines, the carriers started raising the rates dramatically. As such, companies are saving an average of 40-60% on their current bills by making the switch. This can free up budget for other tech initiatives or just go straight to the bottom line.
The key takeaway is that POTS isn’t just outdated; it’s practically vintage. Keeping it around is like using a floppy disk in the age of the cloud. Businesses that wait until the line goes dead will face costly downtime, safety risks, and regulatory headaches.
Ultimately, every fire panel, elevator, and fax machine still relying on POTS is at risk.