Why POTS Replacement is a Good Investment

n

Telecommunications carriers are slowly phasing out traditional copper analog POTS lines. If you have devices that rely on these lines, like burglar alarms and fire systems, planning to move to digital solutions is important.

nnnn

Moving desktop telephony to VoIP is easy and will save you money. But mission-critical devices like fax machines, POS systems, and elevators will need a more tailored solution.

nnnn

Reliability

nnnn

As copper networks deteriorate, they lose reliability, and service maintenance becomes more expensive. The industry is facing a major shift with the end of traditional telephone services, and it’s time for businesses to move on to a more reliable digital alternative.

nnnn

Some POTS line replacement solutions offer a rip-and-replace approach that completely replaces copper with new technology. This isn’t an easy choice for facilities and property managers, however. They are concerned with mitigating risk and minimizing downtime for mission-critical devices such as fire alarms, security systems, elevator emergency phones, and more.

nnnn

A cellular solution allows for a code-compliant network handoff and supports fire alarms, security systems, and elevator emergency phones with the same reliability as traditional POTS lines. This is a better option than VoIP, which relies on managed strong internet connections to function and can be vulnerable to power outages or internet disruptions. A cellular solution also allows you to expand and scale as your business grows. It can be implemented in stages, so you can start with a small portion of your infrastructure and gradually roll out the service as your budget allows. Plus, software monitors a cellular solution, so 99% of issues can be resolved remotely, reducing costs and time-to-repair. It is a good idea to visit websites like mettel.net for helpful POTS solutions.

nnnn

Cost

nnnn

The good news is that replacing POTS lines with a new digital system will cost far less than paying for service to remain on traditional landlines. Moreover, switching to VoIP can reduce operational costs while providing advanced features that make operations more efficient. The copper landscape is changing rapidly, and many businesses need more POTS users. This has led carriers to charge higher prices for these lines to make up the difference. Aside from phone calls, POTS lines also provide connections for other essential business hardware like fax machines and credit card terminals. However, this means the entire network is affected when these lines fail. In addition, there is no monitoring on POTS lines, and it can be difficult to determine the source of problems. In this case, a professional service must be contacted to diagnose and repair the issue, which is costly.

nnnn

Moving desktop telephony to a cloud-based phone system is simple and easy. However, for property and facilities managers with mission-critical systems, the move to a different technology presents challenges and risks. 

nnnn

Scalability

nnnn

Many POTS replacement solutions are scalable, allowing you to upgrade your services as your needs change. This allows you to move away from copper lines without investing in expensive new equipment. If you plan to expand your business in the future, this option can save you money and increase the reliability of your communication network.

nnnn

You can also choose a solution that uses cellular technology to replace your old analog phone line. This cost-effective and reliable solution supports legacy dial tones such as FAX, alarm systems, and POS terminals. It also provides failover cellular connectivity for uninterrupted communication. In addition, it is easier to manage than traditional copper lines and does not require any hardware or wiring.

nnnn

Finally, a cellular solution is best for life safety applications like fire alarms and elevator emergency lines. These devices often save lives in split-second life-threatening situations. These devices must be code-compliant, so choose a solution that meets these requirements. The big telcos are working hard to decommission their copper landlines, and it is time for businesses to prepare for the transition. Moving to a digital solution can reduce costs and ensure your business complies with government regulations.

nnnn

Flexibility

nnnn

Some devices rely on POTS lines for functionality, and removing these legacy lines can help to improve network reliability. For example, fax machines can be connected to traditional POTS lines, but it can be difficult to determine the issue when they are damaged or down. This can lead to unscheduled downtime for staff and customers. Likewise, facilities management systems like fire alarms and elevators require wireline connections to comply with safety codes. This can also be problematic if those connections go down, as it will prevent the devices from working.

nnnn

In addition, some carriers have stopped providing support for POTS lines, meaning that the infrastructure will eventually need to be replaced, or rates will skyrocket. Considering that the costs of running these lines can quickly add up, replacing them with digital alternatives that offer a better return on investment is essential.

nnnn

Moving desktop telephony to VoIP is relatively straightforward and will save money, but migrating mission-critical services presents more complex challenges. Fortunately, there are still viable solutions that can reduce risks and help businesses avoid costly outages. One option is implementing a full-scale POTS replacement solution that includes hardware, data, and phone service at a monthly rate. This would consist of options that allow a code-compliant network handoff for existing fire and alarm panels and other requirements such as emergency phones, POS, building entry, and elevators.

n