Copper phone lines are one of the oldest forms of communication in the world, and they are still used today. They are reliable, low-cost, and widely available, making them an essential part of legacy communications systems, but they are being retired.  In this article, you’ll find out more about how copper lines work and their many benefits for businesses.
 

What Are Copper Phone Lines?

Copper phone lines, also known as “twisted pair” or “plain old telephone service” (POTS) lines, are a type of copper wire used to transmit voice and data. These wires use pulses of electricity transmitted over copper cables to create an analog signal, which is then converted into sound by the phone line receiver. Copper lines have been the primary form of communication for centuries and are still widely used today.

Benefits of Using Copper Lines

Copper lines have the benefit of being reliable, affordable, and easy to install. Additionally, they are highly secure since they provide dedicated communication lines that are independent of other network components. Furthermore, copper lines have a higher data transfer rate than most wireless networks, making them ideal for businesses that require large amounts of data transmission. Finally, copper lines are also more easily repaired in the event of an outage.

Drawbacks of Using Copper Phone Lines

Although there are several benefits of using copper lines, they do have some weaknesses as well. One major drawback of copper phone lines is their susceptibility to outside interference, such as electrical storms and power surges. Additionally, copper phone lines are not able to provide services like caller ID and Voicemail due to their lower data transfer rate. Finally, installing these systems can be relatively high for businesses requiring a large number of lines.

Alternatives to Copper

Many people are now turning to alternative phone systems like VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), which offers more reliable service and a wider range of services than copper lines. VoIP systems are able to transmit voice communications over the internet, allowing businesses to take advantage of features such as caller ID, voicemail, and conference calling. Additionally, these systems are much more cost-efficient compared to traditional copper lines.  These alternatives run the full spectrum from a full transition to VoIP to utilizing ePOTS solutions like POTS IN A BOX® that enable you to continue to use your existing technology but communicate over VoIP.

Do you know how many Copper Lines you still have in service?  Contact us today to get on the path to Unified Communications.