Lightning season has arrived across the South and throughout much of the country, marking what was once the telecommunications industry’s most demanding period. In years past, this seasonal phenomenon transformed our operational landscape—vacation requests were suspended, time off became a luxury none could afford, and every technician remained perpetually on call. Lightning strikes and the resulting power surges represented the primary threat to PBX and key telephone systems, generating emergency service calls that defined our busiest months.
The telecommunications landscape has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years. A significant portion of traditional on-premises systems have been decommissioned as customers migrated to the increasingly reliable VoIP-hosted platforms. Gone are the days of phone systems relegated to dark utility closets, cramped spaces beneath staircases, or forgotten corners sharing real estate with janitorial supplies. This modernization has fundamentally altered the industry’s relationship with lightning season.
However, this evolution has prompted a critical consideration: while many organizations have embraced hosted solutions, a substantial number continue to rely on legacy on-premises equipment. When these systems suffer lightning damage today, where do replacement components originate? The challenge has intensified as major manufacturers have discontinued their telecommunications divisions, with many attempting to pivot to their own hosted platforms rather than continuing hardware production.
The manufacturer exodus reached a significant milestone in 2016 when Toshiba Information Systems ceased manufacturing telecommunications equipment. This decision left dealers with an existing spare parts inventory that could sustain repair operations and restore damaged PBX systems to service—albeit often resulting in substantial monthly invoices for affected clients. Today’s reality presents a more complex scenario, as the traditional supply chain has largely evaporated.
The list of departed manufacturers reads like a telecommunications industry memorial: Nortel, Avaya’s Partner systems line, ESI, LG, Telrad, Toshiba, and numerous others have either shuttered their operations or ceased production entirely. Compounding this challenge, many specialized repair companies that once supported these legacy systems have also closed their doors, creating a significant void in the support ecosystem.
From direct industry experience, the current parts procurement process has become increasingly unconventional. Replacement components now frequently originate from other lightning-damaged systems that vendors have removed and sold as scrap metal. These components then find their way to industry contacts—the proverbial “friend in the phone business” who maintains relationships with parts suppliers. The process typically involves assessing the extent of damage to determine component viability, but this approach raises fundamental questions about reliability and longevity.
While these salvaged components may function initially, the underlying question remains: how long before the original failure mechanisms that compromised these parts resurface? The decision to procure used components from previously damaged systems represents a calculated risk that organizations must carefully evaluate. Is the short-term cost savings of purchasing “pre-owned” parts truly beneficial when considering potential long-term reliability issues and the likelihood of recurring failures?
This reality underscores the broader transformation occurring within the telecommunications industry and highlights the critical importance of strategic planning when maintaining legacy systems in an era of diminishing manufacturer support and increasingly scarce replacement components.
