Be Prepared: The Impact of the FCC’s Recommended POTS Lines Transition
While the transition away from copper lines has been in progress for years, the FCC recently issued orders for existing Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) users to expedite the move with speedier upgrades. While the FCC isn’t mandating that enterprises retire POTS lines, the new orders make it easier for carriers to do so. In response, some major carriers have announced the sunsetting of copper lines, leaving businesses searching for modern alternatives. In this article, we’ll discuss the FCC’s shift away from POTS lines and what you need to do to prepare your business for upcoming changes.
What Are POTS Lines and Why Are They Becoming Obsolete?
- POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service)
- ISDN-PRI
- Remote Call Forwarding
- Local Wholesale Complete (LWC)
- Other TDM-based voice services
What Are the New FCC Changes and Why is Copper Disappearing?
Expanding on recommendations issued in 2019, the 2025 orders eliminate some of the red tape, making it easier for providers to facilitate POTS migration and help customers modernize their networks. Their recommendations include a streamlined shutdown process for carriers and fewer requirements. The retirement of POTS lines allows for more resources for the deployment of fiber, 5G, and other newer technology; the FCC now says that POTS lines can be phased out even when alternatives are offered as part of a bundle.
What Do Businesses Risk if They Don’t Replace POTS?
Although the number of POTS lines users decreased by half over the last five years, many enterprises are still using POTS lines for critical communications and need to prepare for their obsolescence. Outages that affect devices such as elevator phones, fire alarm panels, or security systems create further risk and prevent enterprises from being up to code. Other growing concerns include:
- Steep costs –POTS lines costs are on the rise. While consolidation of lines may help in the short term, it will be increasingly difficult to maintain them in the future, and it’s best to plan ahead.
- Regulatory “grandfathering” – While you may be able to keep your existing lines, the recommendations indicate that new moves, adds, or changes may not be possible.
- Degraded copper lines – As copper lines are no longer being maintained, outages will likely increase.
- Increased compliance risks – The regulations around POTS lines are changing, leaving enterprises who use them exposed to greater security and compliance risks.
What Are the Solutions for Replacing POTS Lines?
A proactive approach to responding to these changes is key. Along with standalone VoIP and fiber voice services, wireless POTS replacements such as AireSpring’s POTS Replacement solution are designed specifically to replace POTS lines with voice and specialty lines support, including:
- Essential phone lines
- Gate access
- Faxes
- Elevators
- Burglar and fire alarms
- Emergency call boxes
- Building entry phone lines
- Backup phone service
AireSpring’s POTS Replacement services help you transition away from legacy technology with wireless and broadband failover support, and provides the following benefits:
- Comprehensive solution-Hardware, data, and VoIP replacement for POTS with no hidden monthly charges or difficult integrations.
- Smooth deployment-Complete project management from planning to professional installation and support.
- Built-in failover and battery backup- Stay up and running even when an outage occurs.
- Designed for compliance- Keep up to date with UL, NFPA, ASME, HIPAA, and other key requirements.
- Fully managed services with 24/7 support – All your solutions in one place, including managed voice services, SIP Trunking for legacy lines, Microsoft Teams Direct Routing, SD-WAN and SASE—backed by award-winning customer support and AIreCONTROL, our AI-powered IT service management platform.
What Should I Do Now?
- Audit where POTS lines are still in use.
- Identify systems that rely on analog lines.
- Budget for replacement.
- Consider managed solutions like AireSpring’s POTS Replacement.
Modernize Your Communications Systems with POTS Replacement Services
As the FCC accelerates the retirement of POTS lines, enterprises can’t be exposed to riskier outages, increasing costs, or compliance issues. AireSpring makes the transition seamless with a fully managed, cost-effective POTS Replacement solution that covers everything from hardware to installation to ongoing support. Copper lines may be on their way out, but you don’t have to wait until it’s too late.
