“I’ll just use my cell phone.”
But what about the police? Hospitals? Fire alarms? Working in valleys with no reception?
Pennsylvania lines are currently being targeted for retirement by carriers, and although there is pushback, the cost of the copper lines can’t be maintained forever. Carriers are supposed to make sure that there is a feasible option available, but what they see as a feasible option may not be the best for you or your business.
So what’s happening, and what can you do?
The Retirement of POTS
For over 100 years, from Alexander Graham Bell to the introduction of ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network), copper wires were able to carry our voices from one place to another. They work during blackouts, are simple to use, and compatible with tons of analog devices, which is how they ended up being used for alarm systems.
But the digital age has pushed this technology to the corner.
Telephone carriers are moving away from traditional copper-based analog phone lines, commonly known as POTS — Plain Old Telephone Service. These lines often connect a business’s existing on-premises phone system to its telephone carrier (e.g., AT&T, Verizon).
POTS is Leaving Between Now and 2029
Some businesses are already receiving notices about service discontinuation or required changes. Although pushback in Pennsylvania may have delayed Verizon, this is not a reversal. Copper lines support will end.
Timing varies by carrier and location, but businesses that depend on these lines should begin planning for an eventual transition. When it happens, you may get less notice than you’re comfortable with, especially if you are working with a large business with alarms, elevators, and hybrid staff.
What To Do If You Have Been Notified
You don’t have to face the FCC decision alone. We can help you understand the notice, identify the affected services, and review your options.
Heritage offers Reolla, our cloud-based business phone system, as a modern alternative to an on-premises system connected to traditional telephone lines. Reolla provides flexible business communications, with options for desk phones and calling from computers or mobile devices.
We can review your current phone system, discuss your business’s needs, and help plan a transition that protects your day-to-day communications. Any fax, alarm, or elevator lines will need a separate review to determine the appropriate replacement.
Plan Now for Your POTS Replacement Instead of Reacting Later
How your business communicates deserves a decision that isn’t rushed by Verizon’s or another carrier’s timeline.
Begin by learning what features you’ll need. We invite you to explore a demo to ensure a smooth transition for your team.