With the endless technological advances today, it may be easy to forget about older lines of communication, such as POTS lines. You are not alone. If you still have active POTS lines, it is time to start thinking about replacing these, for they will soon be obsolete. It’s time to get ahead of the game before it is too late!
Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) speaks for itself. Plain and old. We get it. It’s not a service that most businesses think they need to worry about. But in reality, it is crucial to hit on these communication services to make you aware of the updates that need to be made. Most of us already know what POTS lines are, whether we may realize it or not. It is the phone line technology that most of us grew up with at home – copper wires dangling overhead, carrying your voice from one place to another.
A little bit of history.
These lines were created to facilitate voice communication over copper wires and have been used by residences and businesses worldwide since the late 1800s. While the first phone lines were suspended across poles, advancements in technology show these lines now buried underground. Originally, POTS was known as the Post Office Telephone Service due to callers relying on post office operators to connect them to their intended destinations. The service was later taken from the hands of national post offices, and this is where the term Plain Old Telephone Service was adopted.
Why should you consider replacing your POTS lines now?
Discontinuation. Telephone companies will soon be retiring all copper-based communication lines as the FCC has granted a forbearance request that removes the obligation from all telephone companies that service analog lines.
Cost. Traditional landlines are already costly, and they continue to rise as providers give consumers incentives to make the switch and upgrade. Telephone companies pass this increased cost on to their customers if they choose not to convert to less expensive technology.
Maintenance. The upkeep of POTS lines has become an issue as many phone companies are not prioritizing this aging means of communication. Because certain phone companies are no longer required to maintain or install existing POTS lines, the prices will increase.
Weather. Landlines require a physical connection, and inclement weather can quickly destroy and disrupt connections in a matter of seconds. Many phone companies are left to try and quickly remediate the issue, not knowing where to start if the damage is excessive.
So out with the old, in with the new. It is time to make the transition away from POTS. According to the FCC, 62 million businesses have already transitioned from POTS to VoIP in their business model (MixNetworks). Instead of replacing existing infrastructure, your business can simply convert your existing POTS lines over to newer technologies. As a practical solution option, you can future-proof your technology and reduce your telecommunications costs.