Why companies still rely on POTS

Why Companies Still Depend on POTS and How to Replace It (2025 Guide)

POTS (plain old telephone service) powered business and life-safety systems for decades (elevators, fire panels, alarms, fax, POS). But deregulation and carrier strategy are accelerating copper retirements. Prices are spiking, support is shrinking, and discontinuance notices can force a transition in as little as 180 days. The time to plan a replacement is now.

What Is POTS—and Why It’s Still Around

POTS dates back to the 1800s and, even after most voice lines moved to VoIP, many specialty and safety-critical devices stayed on analog copper because they were certified, code-compliant, and “just worked.”

Common examples:

* Elevators and emergency phones

* Fire panels and alarm communicators

* Security systems and gate/door intercoms

* Fax lines and some point-of-sale terminals

Why POTS Is Disappearing

Regulatory shifts. Over the last decade, the FCC reduced legacy copper obligations (e.g., Technology Transitions, FCC 15-97) and continued easing requirements. In 2025, additional actions further streamlined copper retirement, allowing faster timelines and fewer notice mandates. Practically, some businesses now get 180-day windows after a discontinuance notice.

Carrier strategy. Large carriers are no longer delaying retirements. “Grandfathering” notices (no new installs/moves/changes) have expanded across multiple states, and full discontinuance is the next step. Meanwhile, rates on existing POTS can surge—reports of some lines exceeding $2,700 per month are not uncommon—while maintenance and repair times worsen.

Bottom line: The copper era is ending, and timelines are compressing.

The Cost of Waiting

Exploding costs: Monthly rates and fees continue to climb.

Declining support: Fewer techs, slower repair ETAs, higher risk of prolonged outages.

Compliance risk: If elevator phones or fire panels fail, you can lose your Certificate of Occupancy, face shutdowns, or be required to staff on-site fire watch (often $200+/hr) until fixed.

Operational disruption: Last-minute transitions are the most expensive and riskiest way to migrate.

Your Transition Game Plan

1. Inventory every copper-based line. Map use-case, device type, location, and code requirements (e.g., UL 864, NFPA 72, local elevator codes, 911).

2. Match each use-case to a modern alternative.

* VoIP/SIP over existing broadband

* POTS-replacement adapters (“POTS in a Box”) with LTE/5G backhaul

* Analog gateways for alarm/fax/POS compatibility

3. Design for resiliency & compliance. Dual-SIM cellular failover, 24–48 hr battery backup, automatic restart, and remote monitoring.

4. Pilot in a low-risk site. Validate dialing, alarm signaling, elevator call routing, T.38 or store-and-forward fax behavior, and E-911 location.

5. Roll out in waves. Prioritize sites in states/markets with active grandfathering or discontinuance activity.

6. Document and monitor. Label demarcation, update site books, and set up 24/7 alerts.

Replacement Options (What to Look For)

Compatibility: Elevator phones, fire/burglar panels, fax/POS must pass real-world tests.

Connectivity: Multi-carrier LTE/5G with automatic failover to keep signals live during ISP outages.

Power: 24–48 hr battery backup for life-safety continuity.

Monitoring: Central portal for line health, alarms, and proof of test calls.

Deployment at scale: Staging, kitting, and field install coordination across many sites without interrupting operations.

How The Change Agent Helps

We do the heavy lifting so you don’t eat surprise outages or runaway costs.

Rapid Assessment: We inventory copper lines, map risks, and flag sites likely to face near-term retirement or price shock.

Vendor-Neutral Design: We recommend the best mix of VoIP, analog gateways, and cellular POTS-replacement for your exact devices and codes.

Resilient Build: Dual-SIM failover, 24–48 hr battery, remote monitoring, and documented E-911.

Nationwide Rollout: Pilot → phased deployment → cutover support → training.

Cost Outcomes: We target immediate savings and long-term reductions vs. escalating POTS rates.

Example outcome: Clients typically see double-digit percentage savings and remove the risk of a 180-day scramble. Where copper costs are already inflated, savings can be dramatic.

FAQS:

Will my fire or elevator system still be code-compliant?

Yes when designed correctly. We align with applicable life-safety requirements (e.g., NFPA, UL 864), verify local AHJ expectations, and test before rollouts.

What if the internet goes down?

We design for cellular failover (multi-carrier LTE/5G) plus battery backup so critical lines continue to function during ISP or power issues.

Do fax and POS still work?

We validate with T.38 or store-and-forward and confirm with real transactions.

How fast can we transition?

Discovery can start immediately. Many sites pilot within weeks, with phased migrations following your operational calendar—well ahead of any discontinuance clock.

What about 911?

We implement accurate E-911 address/dispatchable location updates and test call routing.

Copper retirements, accelerating notices, and rising line charges make POTS a liability. The safest, most cost-effective path is to plan your replacement now—on your schedule, not the carrier’s.

Get your free audit: email us at support@thechangeagent.tech