What Property Managers Need To Know About POTS Line Liability
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For property managers, overlooking aging copper-based phone systems, known as POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) lines, is no longer an option. These outdated systems aren’t just expensive and unreliable; they expose your buildings, tenants, and your business to unnecessary risk.
As telecom providers continue to retire copper infrastructure, the urgency to replace POTS lines has grown. This article outlines what’s at stake, where your risks lie, and how Ooma AirDial offers a compliant and straightforward solution to keep your systems running without disruption.
Where POTS Lines Are Still in Use
Despite the digital shift, many multi-tenant buildings still rely on analog lines to power essential systems. These systems are often hidden in plain sight, running reliably for years, until they don’t.
Common property systems still using POTS lines include:
Elevator emergency phones – Required for code compliance and vital during elevator malfunctions or entrapments.
Fire alarm panels – Central to emergency detection and must operate during power outages.
Security alarms – Essential for protecting property and notifying authorities in case of a break-in.
Gate and entry systems – Used for tenant access control and remote unlock capabilities.
Swimming pool emergency phones – Often required by law for properties with community pools.
Fax lines and POS terminals – Still used by some management offices and retail tenants.
Blue light emergency phones – Installed in parking garages and walkways to improve safety perception and emergency access.
Each of these systems is critical to life-safety or operational efficiency, and every one is at risk if the copper line supporting it fails.
Understanding the Liability of Sticking With POTS
Holding onto analog lines doesn’t just strain your maintenance budget – it creates tangible liabilities for your property.
System Failure Risks
If an emergency phone or fire panel fails to function when needed, it can lead to injury or legal action. The older the line, the more likely it is to fail, particularly during power outages or severe weather conditions.
Code Compliance and Regulation Gaps
Many local and national codes (like ASME A17.1 for elevators and NFPA 72 for fire alarms) require reliable communication systems that work even when power is out. If a POTS line drops during a fire inspection or elevator entrapment, you may be cited, or worse, sued.
Skyrocketing Costs
Telecom companies are no longer required to maintain POTS lines (thanks to the FCC Forbearance Order 19-72A1). As a result, monthly rates can be hundreds of dollars per line. Some property owners report bills climbing past $1,000 per line.
Limited Support
There are fewer technicians available to repair copper lines. Since they are no longer legally required to service them, providers often deprioritize service calls, which could leave your building offline for hours or days.
Insurance Exposure
A failed emergency response could place liability directly on your management team or ownership group. Insurance carriers may reduce coverage or increase premiums when outdated infrastructure is involved.
Why Now Is the Time for POTS Replacement
The FCC has made it clear: copper lines are on their way out. Many providers have already started retiring networks, sending discontinuation notices, and raising rates.
Your emergency and operational systems won’t be exempt. When service stops, or a critical call can’t go through, you’ll be the one left with the blame and the bill.
The good news: you don’t have to rip out equipment or launch a complicated upgrade.
How Ooma AirDial Reduces Risk and Protects Your Properties
Ooma AirDial is a turnkey cellular POTS replacement solution designed with property managers in mind. It works seamlessly with your existing equipment, reduces operating costs, and ensures compliance with code requirements.
Key Benefits of Ooma AirDial:
Keep Your Existing Equipment – AirDial mimics a traditional analog dial tone, enabling legacy systems, such as fire panels, security alarms, and elevator phones, to function without modification.
Dual-Path Connectivity with MultiPath Technology – AirDial routes calls over both LTE and wired internet simultaneously. If one fails, the other instantly takes over, ensuring emergency calls never drop mid-conversation.
Built-in Battery Backup – Provides up to 8 hours of runtime during power outages, helping you meet compliance standards for emergency communication.
Web-Based Monitoring Tools – Track performance, view line statuses, and receive automatic alerts if any line disconnects—across multiple properties from one dashboard.
Regulatory Compliance – Designed to meet applicable UL, NFPA 72, ASME A17.1B, and HIPAA standards.
Take Action Before You’re Forced To
Sticking with copper analog lines is no longer a viable strategy. You’re paying more for less, risking compliance failures, and exposing your residents and business to unnecessary harm.
Ooma AirDial offers a cost-effective, code-compliant path forward, and our team can help you navigate every step.
Contact us today to start your POTS line replacement strategy.