Is VoIP the Same as POTS in a Box?
Table of Contents
When upgrading your business communications, two terms you’re likely to encounter are VoIP and POTS in a Box. At first glance, they might seem interchangeable – both aim to replace outdated copper phone lines – but they are not the same thing. Each serves a different purpose, uses a different technology, and has distinct advantages depending on your business needs.
While there is some overlap in how they can be used, it’s important to understand exactly what VoIP and POTS in a Box systems do, where they shine, and whether you might benefit from using one or both. The differences can have a significant impact on your reliability, compliance, and long-term costs.
What Is VoIP?
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a modern telecommunications technology that routes phone calls over the Internet instead of traditional copper phone lines. Your voice is converted into small digital packets, sent over your broadband connection, and reassembled as audio at the receiving end.
VoIP is highly versatile and can be implemented in two main ways:
Hosted (Cloud-Based) VoIP – The provider manages the system off-site, delivering service through the Internet.
On-Premise VoIP – The system is managed internally on your servers.
Businesses often choose VoIP for its feature-rich capabilities. These go far beyond basic voice calling:
Call routing and forwarding to ensure no calls are missed.
Voicemail-to-email or voicemail-to-text for easier message management.
Integrated video conferencing and team messaging for collaboration.
Mobile apps that allow staff to answer calls from anywhere.
Integration with CRMs and business software for improved workflows.
Because VoIP relies entirely on internet connectivity, it’s ideal for businesses with a reliable broadband connection. However, if the Internet goes down and no backup is in place, calls may be interrupted. This is why some organizations pair VoIP with a backup system like POTS in a Box to cover critical services.
What Is POTS in a Box?
POTS in a Box is designed specifically to replace traditional Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) lines, which have been the backbone of analog communication for decades. These lines are still used by devices that are not easily compatible with VoIP, such as:
POTS in a Box works by emulating a standard analog phone line while transmitting the signal digitally, often using a combination of LTE cellular networks and wired broadband connections for redundancy. This means your legacy equipment can function exactly as it would with copper lines, without the skyrocketing costs and declining reliability associated with POTS.
The installation process is straightforward: a small device is placed onsite, connected to your existing analog equipment, and programmed to route communications through digital pathways to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). From a user’s perspective, nothing changes in how the device operates—except that it now runs on a more modern, cost-effective infrastructure.
VoIP vs. POTS in a Box Compatibility
| System/Device | VoIP Compatible? | POTS in a Box Compatible? |
|---|---|---|
| Standard voice phone calls | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Video conferencing | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Fax machines | ⚠️ Sometimes* | ✅ Yes |
| Elevators (emergency phones) | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Fire alarm panels | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Security systems | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Point-of-Sale (POS) systems | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Blue-light emergency call boxes | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Modems/data-based devices | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
How Do VoIP and POTS in a Box Work Together?
While VoIP and POTS in a Box are different, they can be used in tandem to create a complete communication solution. Many businesses rely on VoIP for their everyday voice communication, including customer service lines, sales calls, and internal meetings. At the same time, they keep POTS in a Box for critical systems that must remain operational even during power or internet outages, or that are required to use analog connectivity for regulatory compliance.
For example:
A hotel might use VoIP for front desk and reservations, but keep POTS in a Box for elevator emergency phones. By implementing POTS in a Box, there’s no need to overhaul the elevator infrastructure.
A university could use VoIP for administrative offices while maintaining POTS in a Box for blue-light emergency call boxes around campus.
This hybrid approach allows businesses to modernize their communications without sacrificing the reliability and compliance required for specific systems.
Key Differences Between VoIP and POTS in a Box
While both technologies replace copper lines, they have different strengths:
Purpose: VoIP focuses on delivering feature-rich calling over the Internet, while POTS in a Box ensures analog-dependent devices stay operational without copper infrastructure.
Connectivity: VoIP relies entirely on broadband internet. POTS in a Box often uses both LTE and broadband for seamless failover.
Features: VoIP offers advanced communication features, while POTS in a Box is centered on reliability for specific equipment.
Compliance: Many fire alarm and elevator codes still require analog connectivity—POTS in a Box meets that need, while VoIP does not always qualify.
Which Is Right for Your Business?
If your primary goal is to modernize voice communications and enhance collaboration, VoIP is the clear choice. It reduces costs, increases flexibility, and adds powerful features that improve productivity.
If you have systems that must run on copper analog lines, either for compliance, reliability, or technical reasons, POTS in a Box is the best solution. In many cases, the most effective approach is to use both: VoIP for general communications and POTS in a Box for mission-critical devices. This dual setup maximizes efficiency while protecting essential operations.
Switch To POTS in a Box Today
VoIP and POTS in a Box share the goal of eliminating outdated copper lines, but they do it in different ways. VoIP modernizes everyday communication with advanced features and internet-based calling, while POTS in a Box bridges the gap for systems that still need analog connectivity. Understanding these distinctions will help you choose the right mix for your business, ensuring you’re prepared for the future without compromising on reliability, compliance, or cost efficiency.
Contact us today to get started with your POTS in a Box transition.
FAQ About VoIP and POTS in a Box
POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) is the traditional analog phone system that uses copper wires to transmit voice signals. VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) uses the internet to transmit voice data in a digital format. POTS is better for legacy devices like fax machines, elevator phones, and fire alarm panels, while VoIP is primarily used for standard phone calls and conferencing.
Another common name for VoIP is “Internet calling” or “IP telephony.” These terms highlight that the technology transmits voice communications over an internet connection rather than through copper telephone lines.
You can usually tell by checking how your phone service connects. If your phone plugs into a wall jack and works during a power outage without backup power, it’s likely POTS. If it connects through an internet router or requires an internet connection, it’s likely VoIP. Your service provider can confirm the type of service you have.
POTS in a Box is a device that replaces traditional POTS lines with a digital solution that supports analog equipment. It uses cellular or broadband internet connections to keep devices like fire alarms, elevator phones, and fax machines connected without relying on copper telephone lines.
It’s not always obvious, but you can sometimes tell by looking at the phone setup. VoIP phones often connect through an Ethernet cable or Wi-Fi rather than a standard phone line. Additionally, calls from VoIP numbers may show up as “Internet” or “IP” in certain caller ID systems