POTS lines, aka Plain Old Telephone Service, have been foundational in our businesses for over a century but as we have discussed several times recently, the technology is phasing out leaving many of us with a decision to make.  How do we continue to communicate when POTS lines no longer work?

If you find yourself asking this question, then keep reading.

Option #1:  Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) 

VoIP has come a long way since its inception in the late 1960s.  So much so that it has quickly outpaced the copper POTS lines in terms of features and functionality.  VoIP completely avoids the POTS network by sending signals along fiber optic cables in code rather than sound waves.  The quality and reliability of VoIP are equivalent, if not superior, to POTS lines, especially taking into account the degradation of the POTS lines.  Because there is a significant difference in how the two technologies communicate, using the same equipment without modifications is impossible.

Option #2: LTE or Cellular Connections

LTE or Long-Term Evolution is the 4th generation wireless standard for mobile technology.  This is the same technology that connects your mobile devices and tablets to make and receive calls as well as access the internet.  Originally designed as a way for an individual to connect to the internet for short periods of time, as technology has grown faster and more reliable, businesses have taken note.  Even though the technology is robust enough to be the main source of connectivity for a business, the cost can be prohibitive for many so it is mostly used as a failover resource in the event that the main connectivity goes down.

Option #3:  POTS Replacement devices

The third option in the toolbox is POTS replacement devices that work by connecting analog POTS-hosted PBX systems to the digital infrastructure.  These devices have simplified the conversion process, reduced downtime as well as significantly reduced the cost of replacing aging POTS systems.  They provide a go-between, translating the POTS signals to digital VoIP signals before sending them along the VoIP lines to the intended recipient.  POTS replacement devices have a wide range of implementations, and reliably provide service for elevator alarms, fire, and burglar alarms as well as M2M, DTMF, Fax, and more.  They also incorporate LTE failover solutions so you can access the best of both worlds and know that your business communications are covered.

Small Businesses Can Benefit from POTS Replacement Devices 

There are a lot of benefits to being a small business.  Agility, creativity.  And now access to enterprise-grade telecom solutions thanks to the growth in cloud communications.  Even with the POTS lines fading out and retiring, small businesses can still take advantage of the benefits a hosted telecom solution brings – thanks to the wide range of POTS replacement options available.  Keep reading to find out how POTS replacement devices can help your business moving forward:

POTS Line Replacement Solutions

Top POTS Replacement Devices for 2022

What are POTS Lines?  And What Does FCC Order 19-72A1 for POTS Lines Mean?