10 Questions To Ask When Choosing a POTS Replacement Solution
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As the copper sunset rapidly approaches, replacing outdated POTS lines is no longer a future consideration – it’s an urgent business decision. Critical systems, such as fire alarms, elevators, and emergency phones, continue to rely on legacy copper lines that are becoming increasingly expensive, less reliable, and more challenging to maintain.
Before choosing a POTS replacement solution, it’s essential to ask the right questions to protect your business operations, ensure compliance, and keep your team and customers safe.
1. Why Are Copper Lines Being Retired?
Copper phone lines, also known as POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service), were once the standard in communication infrastructure. However, as technology advanced, maintaining these old analog networks became prohibitively costly for telecom providers. In 2022, the FCC’s Forbearance Order 19-72 relieved carriers of their obligation to support POTS lines, giving them the green light to decommission copper infrastructure. That means prices for POTS service are skyrocketing, outages are taking longer to repair, and some areas are losing support altogether. Businesses still relying on copper lines need to act now to avoid service disruptions.
2. What Kinds of Systems Depend on POTS Lines?
Many people think of POTS lines as being used only for landline phones, but the reality is that they support a wide range of critical, life-safety, and compliance-driven systems. These include fire alarm panels, burglar alarms, elevator emergency phones, building entry intercoms, blue light safety phones, and even fax machines and poolside emergency call boxes. If these systems are still connected through copper wiring, your business is at risk of being left without a functional safety communication method. Identifying all the devices that rely on POTS lines is a critical first step in any replacement plan.
3. Does the Solution Comply With My Regulatory Requirements?
For many of the devices mentioned above, it’s not just about functionality – it’s about legal compliance. Fire panels must meet NFPA 72 standards. Elevator phones must follow ASME A17.1B. Hospitals and medical facilities need to comply with HIPAA. Your replacement solution needs to uphold these standards, or you risk failing inspections or violating laws. Ooma AirDial is designed with compliance in mind from the outset, providing you with peace of mind that you’re replacing POTS lines without compromising safety or legality.
4. Is the Cost Manageable Now and Over Time?
At first glance, some business owners worry about the cost of switching away from POTS lines. But what they don’t realize is that POTS service costs are already out of control. In many areas, a single copper line can cost $100 to $300 per month, sometimes more. And that doesn’t include the cost of repairs or upgrades if something fails.
With a POTS replacement solution like Ooma AirDial, businesses can lock in predictable monthly costs, reduce infrastructure risk, and avoid skyrocketing fees. Over time, this switch isn’t just cost-effective – it’s a wise financial decision.
5. How Do I Start the Replacement Process?
The process begins with a full audit of your POTS-connected devices and phone bills. You’ll need to identify which numbers correspond to which systems and determine which lines are still in use. Many businesses discover they’re paying for unused or redundant lines. After your audit, work with a vendor who can help you prioritize which systems to replace first based on urgency and compliance. At POTS Replacement, we help simplify this process by mapping out your infrastructure, reviewing your telecom bills, and building a phased migration plan that minimizes downtime.
6. What If I’m Not Ready to Replace Every Line?
You don’t have to replace all your POTS lines at once. A phased approach enables you to tackle the most critical systems first, such as fire alarms or elevator phones, while planning to update others later. This helps ease budget concerns and operational disruption. For example, you might replace five of your 20 POTS lines in the first quarter and the rest over the next six months. Working with a flexible vendor ensures you’re not locked into an all-or-nothing transition. And the sooner you start, the sooner you begin saving money.
7. Should I Work With a Reseller or Go Direct?
Choosing the right partner can make or break your POTS replacement experience. Direct providers may offer strong technology, but they often lack the hands-on support your business needs. Resellers who understand your specific industry, such as Telplus Communications, can offer more tailored recommendations and guide you through the compliance landscape. We act as a strategic advisor, not just a vendor, helping you assess your infrastructure, meet local codes, and manage your deployment from start to finish. You don’t have to go it alone.
8. How Does This Solution Differ From Others?
Not all POTS replacement solutions are created equal. Some simply offer VoIP service over the internet, which isn’t always compatible with fire panels or emergency systems. Others lack battery backup or redundancy. Ooma AirDial stands out because it was designed explicitly as a POTS replacement, not a generic VoIP workaround. It includes a built-in LTE connection, battery backup, MultiPath failover technology, and a cloud portal for remote monitoring. When evaluating providers, make sure you’re getting a purpose-built solution that addresses the unique demands of your devices and compliance systems.
9. Do I Have To Replace All POTS Lines at Once?
This is one of the most common myths. No, you do not have to complete your migration in one fell swoop. Many businesses successfully transition over several quarters, starting with life-safety systems or lines with the highest service costs. This flexible rollout helps with budgeting, team coordination, and minimizing operational disruptions. A good vendor will help you prioritize and organize your rollout in a way that aligns with your needs, rather than forcing you into a one-size-fits-all model.
10. What Are the Next Steps After Choosing a Solution?
Once you’ve selected a replacement solution like Ooma AirDial, the following steps are straightforward. Begin by gathering your telecom bills and identifying which lines are active. Schedule a site walkthrough with your vendor to allow them to evaluate your infrastructure and confirm device compatibility. From there, a transition plan will be created, covering timelines, installation logistics, number porting, and testing procedures. At POTS Replacement, we manage this process for you, keeping you informed at every step so there are no surprises.
Make the Switch with Confidence
By asking the right questions, you ensure your business doesn’t just replace POTS lines – it moves forward with a more reliable, cost-effective, and compliant solution. POTS Replacement works alongside you to audit, plan, and implement a system tailored to your specific needs, utilizing technology like Ooma AirDial.