If your organization is still relying on traditional copper-line phone service – or Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) – you may be needing to have a conversation with your telecom provider soon.  Across the world, these POTS lines are being phased out slowly but surely, in favor of fiber-optic services. It might be time to look for a new solution.  

In this article, we look at why telecoms are phasing out POTS, what’s replacing it, and what this means for your business or organization.  

Why is POTS being phased out?  

There are several pragmatic reasons why telecom providers are retiring their POTS services. These include: 

• Aging copper infrastructure is very expensive to maintain and replace. 

• Offering POTS and digital solutions concurrently isn’t as cost effective for providers, especially as more and more telecom services rely on Internet Protocol (IP).  

• There is less consumer demand for POTS solutions.  

• There are more features and opportunities for consumers and providers with IP solutions.  

IP telephony has become the standard.  

In recent years, IP telephony has grown in popularity. VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) has become widely accepted by businesses. The growing need for work-from-home and hybrid employment models has guaranteed that many companies have had to switch to VoIP, which often resulted in cost savings, making it a win-win for business owners.  

Likewise, many consumers have switched their home internet services to fiber-optic and cut the idea of a home phone completely. This means there is simply less and less incentive for telecoms to offer POTS solutions.  

Not everyone is ready for the switch.  

While for many, the adoption of more convenient technology is fantastic, for others, losing the option of POTS is a big concern. For example, businesses and organizations in rural areas don’t often have the benefit of the same infrastructure. Losing POTS services could be detrimental to operations. Likewise, some building emergency systems, fire alarms, and elevators are tied to POTS services; transitioning those presents potential difficulties.  

What if you still rely on POTS? 

If you’re one of the many organizations still reliant on POTS for your communications services, don’t fret. If it’s been working for you thus far, then you haven’t needed to switch. However, you may soon find yourself in a complicated situation.  

With many carriers decommissioning their copper lines, and therefore any POTS offerings, your business may be pressured into signing up for new services to avoid facing major  operational disruptions. This could be a problem for several reasons: 

• Your existing equipment is designed to work with copper lines, meaning you’ll need upgrades.  

• Transitioning to a new communications system means a change in invoices and potential downtime. 

• Employees may require extensive training on new technology and systems. 

Don’t be pressured into signing anything. 

If you find yourself in this position, don’t panic, and don’t rush to sign anything. Avoid agreeing to a contract that’s overpriced or not in your best interest, just to maintain a form of service. Now is a great time to review marketplace options, reach out for quotes, and negotiate rates. Or, even easier, work with a third party consultant who can do this time-consuming labor for you.  

In conclusion… 

With many telecom companies phasing out their traditional copper line services, your organization may find itself needing to transition to IP telephony. This could be an expensive endeavor, so be sure to take your time, look at many options, and not sign the first offer you’re presented with.