POTS Replacement: What You Need to Know Before Your Analog Lines Go Dark
Businesses across the country are receiving notices that their Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) lines are being disconnected, or seeing prices spike without warning. What was once a forgotten piece of your infrastructure is now either a financial drain or a looming risk. If your organization still uses analog lines for elevators, alarms, or other critical systems, now is the time to act.
What Still Runs on POTS?
You may be surprised by how many essential systems are still connected to legacy copper lines. These often include:
Security and fire alarm systems
Elevator emergency phones
Boiler room alarms and environmental sensors
Door intercoms and gate entry controls
Fax lines
Blue light phones and emergency stations
Backup point-of-sale lines
What to Consider Before Making the Switch
Replacing POTS is not a one-size-fits-all decision. Before you move forward, make sure you ask:
Which devices are still using analog lines, and where are they located?
Do you need to port your phone numbers? Are they still in use?
Is the cellular signal reliable at the location where the equipment is installed?
Does the solution provide backup power, alerts, or remote management capabilities?
Who handles support if something stops working?
Taking the time to answer these upfront can save you from costly mistakes later.
Real Concerns We Hear from IT Leaders
If you are wondering about the risks, you’re not alone. These are the concerns we hear most often:
Poor signal in network closets or basements
Cell tower overload during natural disasters
No visibility or alerts when something goes down
Confusion around who owns support if issues arise
The good news? Most of these concerns can be resolved with the right solution. Top providers offer remote monitoring, dual-carrier LTE, high-gain antennas, and battery backup. The key is knowing which solution fits your actual environment.
Benefits You May Not Expect
Once the transition is complete, many of our clients experience positive changes beyond what they expected, such as:
Better visibility into system health
Centralized device and location management
Automated alerts for outages or failures
Easier compliance with safety and operational standards
Monthly savings of 30% to 70% per line
Replacing outdated POTS lines is not just maintenance—it is a chance to modernize.
How TeleSwitch Can Help
At TeleSwitch, we help you take a complete inventory of what is still connected to POTS, guide you through your options, and manage the transition from start to finish.
We do not sell hardware. We are not here to promote a single solution. We help you compare providers, request proposals, coordinate implementation, and make sure the solution fits your needs, not someone else's.
We support your team as an advisor, helping you evaluate options and move forward with confidence. There is no cost to you for our guidance. We are not here to sell you something. We are here to help you make informed decisions. That approach works because many technology providers are willing to support this kind of independent guidance when it leads to better results for everyone.
Final Thoughts
POTS lines are going away. But this does not have to be a scramble or a setback. With the right approach, it is a chance to cut costs, improve reliability, and simplify management.
