POTS Line Replacement: Why Your Business Can’t Afford to Wait

If your organization still relies on traditional copper telephone lines—also known as POTS lines—it’s time to take action. As the telecommunications landscape evolves and support for these legacy systems disappears, businesses across the country are waking up to the hidden costs, compliance risks, and service disruptions that come with ignoring this critical issue.

A POTS audit could be the key to cutting costs, avoiding outages, and future-proofing your communication systems. Here’s everything you need to know.

What Is a POTS Line?

POTS stands for Plain Old Telephone Service, the analog landline telephone system that’s been in place for over a century. These lines run over copper wiring and were once the gold standard for voice communication in homes, schools, municipalities, and businesses.

But times have changed. Today, POTS telephone service is not only outdated—it’s actively being phased out.

Are POTS Lines Going Away?

Yes—and fast.

In FCC Order 19-72A1, the Federal Communications Commission cleared the way for carriers to no longer support POTS lines as of August 2, 2022. Since then, major providers like AT&T and others have begun aggressively decommissioning copper infrastructure, with price hikes that are forcing businesses to switch or pay exorbitant fees.

Why is this happening?

• Aging Infrastructure: Copper lines are costly to maintain and vulnerable to failure.
• Rising Costs: POTS line pricing has skyrocketed, with some businesses seeing rates climb over $1,000 per line per month.
• Carrier Abandonment: Carriers are no longer required to support or repair POTS lines, leaving users stranded during outages.

Why a POTS Audit Is Urgent

A POTS line audit is a comprehensive review of your current copper-based phone services. It helps you identify which lines are in use, what they’re used for, and which can be eliminated, upgraded, or replaced.

Key Benefits of a POTS Audit:

1. Immediate Cost Savings

Most businesses are unknowingly paying for unused or redundant lines—especially at multi-site or legacy locations. Identifying and cutting these can save thousands annually.

2. Risk Mitigation

Many POTS lines are used for mission-critical systems like:

• Fire and burglar alarms
• Elevator phones
• Fax machines
• Building entry systems

If these lines fail or are disconnected without warning, you could be out of compliance with safety regulations like NFPA 72, not to mention the potential liability.

3. Future-Proofing Your Infrastructure

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), cellular backups, and fully managed digital alternatives offer:

• Greater reliability
• Enhanced features
• Better integration with modern IT systems
• Lower total cost of ownership

What Happens During a POTS Audit?

At CCi Voice, we follow a step-by-step process to help clients through POTS replacement:

1. Inventory & Mapping
   We identify every POTS line, where it’s located, what it’s connected to (e.g. fire panels, modems, alarms), and what it’s costing you.
2. Usage Analysis
   Is this line still being used? Can it be consolidated, eliminated, or upgraded?
3. Cost Comparison
   We compare your current pricing to modern alternatives—like VoIP, SIP, or LTE-based systems.
4. Solution Design
   We design a customized replacement plan that ensures business continuity, regulatory compliance, and long-term cost savings.
5. Implementation & Support
   Our team oversees the migration from old to new, and provides ongoing support for your upgraded communication infrastructure.

What Are the Alternatives to POTS Lines?

Depending on your needs, POTS line replacement may involve:

• VoIP Solutions: Internet-based phones with rich features and scalability.
• Cellular or LTE Adapters: Great for emergency lines, security systems, and remote sites.
• Cloud-Based Phone Systems: Seamless integration with business software and remote work tools.
• Managed Services: We handle installation, monitoring, and compliance for you.

The Cost of Doing Nothing

Businesses that delay replacing their POTS lines face real consequences:

• Surging monthly costs due to provider price hikes
• Unexpected outages as copper lines fail or are decommissioned
• Fines or shutdowns due to noncompliance with fire, life safety, and accessibility codes
• Missed opportunities to modernize communication and unify voice/data platforms

Real Results from a CCi Voice POTS Audit

We recently completed a successful audit for a multi-location client that uncovered several lines charging high monthly rates—many of which were no longer needed. By removing and replacing these lines, the client is now saving thousands annually and has upgraded to a more reliable, compliant system. This project also uncovered future upgrade opportunities, paving the way for long-term savings and growth.

Let’s Replace Your POTS Lines—Before It’s Too Late

If you’re asking:

• What is a POTS line?
• Are POTS lines going away?
• How do I transition from POTS telephone service?
• What’s the best way to reduce telecom costs?

Then now is the time to act.

Don’t wait until you’re paying triple the price for a phone line no one uses. Let CCi Voice help you future-proof your communication systems with a POTS line replacement audit.

Schedule Your POTS Audit Today

Let our team assess your current situation and give you a clear roadmap to safer, smarter, and more affordable voice communication. Simply complete the form below.