What is POTS and why is it going away?
POTS stands for Plain Old Telephone Service — the traditional copper-based phone lines that have been in use for more than a century. While once reliable and universal, POTS is now outdated, expensive to maintain, and rapidly being replaced by digital technologies like VoIP, fiber, and wireless.
AT&T, along with other major carriers, is retiring POTS in phases, with full shutdown expected by 2029. Beginning October 15, 2025, new POTS orders will no longer be accepted in many areas, and costs for existing lines will skyrocket.
Why is this happening now?
- FCC deregulation – Carriers are no longer required to maintain copper networks.
- Rising maintenance costs – Fewer POTS users mean higher costs per line.
- Technology shift – Digital solutions offer more features, lower costs, and easier scaling.
What happens if I stay on POTS?
Staying on copper lines is risky. Here’s what businesses face:
- Massive cost increases – Some POTS lines are projected to jump from ~$34/month to over $2,400/month after 2025.
- Service instability – If copper is damaged or stolen, carriers may choose not to repair it.
- Critical system risk – Fire alarms, elevators, security systems, and fax machines still running on POTS may stop functioning.
What are my alternatives to POTS?
- VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) – Uses internet to transmit calls, with advanced features and major cost savings.
- Wireless / Cellular Gateways – “POTS in a Box” solutions for alarms, faxes, and elevators; work even during outages with battery backup.
- Fiber Voice – Where available, migrate to fiber-based voice service with the added benefit of high-speed internet.
Who should be most concerned?
Businesses that rely on POTS lines for:
- Fire & security alarms
- Elevators
- Fax machines
- Legacy phone systems
- Remote or backup lines
If you’re in one of these groups, you must act now to avoid disruption.
How do I transition away from POTS?
Migrating isn’t always straightforward. Each system connected to a POTS line (alarms, faxes, phones) needs to be reviewed and replaced with a compatible digital solution.
That’s where TTSX comes in. We:
- Audit your existing lines and systems.
- Match your needs with the right VoIP, wireless, or fiber alternative.
- Secure long-term pricing and protect you from rate hikes.
- Handle vendor coordination so you don’t waste time chasing carriers.
Why partner with TTSX?
We’re not tied to a single carrier — we have 100+ partnerships across telecom, cloud, and security providers. That means we can:
- Shop the best options for your location.
- Future-proof your systems with scalable solutions.
- Eliminate downtime risk while cutting costs.
Final Takeaway
The retirement of POTS is not optional — it’s happening, and deadlines are fast approaching. Waiting could cost you thousands and leave critical systems offline.
📞 Act now. Contact TTSX today to schedule a POTS Line Audit and plan your migration before the October 2025 cutoff.
