Those old analog phone lines \xE2\x80\x94 POTS, "plain old telephone service" \xE2\x80\x94 are disappearing. Carriers are retiring copper and sharply raising prices on remaining lines. If you still rely on them, plan the switch on your terms, not theirs.
Why POTS Is Going Away
Copper networks are expensive to maintain and regulators have cleared carriers to retire them. The result: POTS line prices have climbed dramatically, and availability is shrinking. Waiting until your lines are forcibly cut is the worst-case scenario.
What Still Uses Analog Lines
Many businesses keep POTS lines for things that aren't obvious phones: fax machines, alarm/fire panels, elevator phones, gate intercoms, and credit-card terminals. Each needs a replacement path.
Don't forget life-safety devices: elevator and fire-alarm lines have compliance requirements. Replacements must meet code \xE2\x80\x94 plan these carefully, not as an afterthought.
Replacement Options
- VoIP / cloud phone for normal voice lines \xE2\x80\x94 usually cheaper and more capable.
- POTS-replacement devices (cellular/IP adapters) for alarms, elevators, and faxes that must keep an analog interface.
- SIP or eFax for faxing.
Plan the Migration
Inventory every analog line and what it does, then map each to a replacement. We help businesses retire POTS lines cost-effectively while keeping life-safety and specialty devices compliant. See UCaaS and VoIP vs. traditional.
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