For more than a century, Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) was the backbone of business communication. But those days are rapidly fading.
Across the U.S., incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs) are quietly phasing out their copper infrastructure. The result?
- Accelerating costs for businesses still relying on analog lines
- Increasing service disruptions due to neglected infrastructure
- Fewer options for repair or support as carriers shift resources elsewhere
In short: businesses that remain on POTS are paying more for less reliability every year.
Why It’s Happening
ILECs have stopped investing in copper. Fiber, VoIP, and wireless networks are now the priority, leaving traditional landline customers behind. The FCC has approved the retirement of legacy systems, and carriers are moving quickly.
What This Means for Businesses
- Rising monthly costs for analog lines
- Decreased availability of skilled technicians for repairs
- Higher risk of service interruptions — impacting security systems, elevators, fax machines, and other legacy devices still tied to POTS
The Path Forward
The good news is that businesses have options:
- VoIP solutions deliver better call quality at a fraction of the cost
- Cloud-based systems scale as you grow, without expensive hardware
- Hybrid approaches let you modernize at your own pace while ensuring continuity
Final Thought
POTS is disappearing, whether we’re ready or not. Organizations that act now will not only avoid skyrocketing costs but also gain more flexibility, security, and efficiency.
I work with companies to navigate this transition smoothly — if you’d like to explore options for your business, let’s connect.