Copper Sunset
🔌 Copper Sunset: Why It's Time to Replace Your POTS Lines Now
The days of Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) are officially coming to a close. What once served as the foundation for voice communication—running everything from fax machines to fire alarms—is now outdated, expensive, and increasingly unsupported.
At Verenity, we’ve helped countless businesses modernize their infrastructure, and POTS line replacement is one of the most urgent upgrades facing organizations today.
⚠️ What’s Happening to POTS?
The U.S. telecom industry is rapidly phasing out copper line infrastructure, and here's why:
FCC deregulation: In 2019, the FCC eliminated the requirement for providers to maintain analog lines.
Soaring costs: Providers are raising prices while simultaneously cutting maintenance support.
Technician retirements: The few who still understand legacy systems are leaving the field.
Zero obligation to fix: Telecoms are prioritizing fiber, VoIP, and wireless—not analog lines.
Bottom line? Your analog phone line might already be broken—and you’re still paying for it.
🏢 Why Businesses Should Care
POTS lines are still quietly running in thousands of organizations, often powering:
🚨 Fire and burglar alarms
📞 Elevator emergency phones
🖨️ Fax machines
🏪 Point-of-sale systems
🏫 Campus security infrastructure
When copper is decommissioned, these critical systems stop working. The risks are real:
Downtime and service outages
Life safety violations
Costly fines and legal liability
Missed emergency alerts
📈 The Opportunity to Act (Before It's Too Late)
There are millions of POTS lines still in use—between 15 to 50 million by some estimates. If even a fraction of those must be converted in the next few years, we’re looking at over 23,000 conversions per day to stay on track.
That means:
A rush is coming.
Supply chain shortages are possible.
The longer you wait, the more it may cost you.
🛡️ What Are the Replacement Options?
Modern POTS alternatives offer digital, compliant, and future-proof solutions such as:
VoIP (Voice over IP)
LTE-based failover systems
Fiber-backed digital lines
Cloud-managed analog device gateways
Many solutions also include:
Battery backup for power failures
E911 and NFPA-72 compliance
Real-time remote monitoring
Failover redundancy with 4G/5G
At Verenity, we help our clients choose the right solution for their environment, risk profile, and compliance needs.
💸 The Hidden Cost of Inaction
When businesses delay POTS replacement, they don’t just face operational risk—they’re also wasting money.
Unregulated POTS pricing means you’re likely paying 40–60% more than you would for a modern digital alternative. Transitioning now can:
Reduce telecom bills
Increase reliability
Improve audit readiness
Free up IT resources
📣 It’s Time to Modernize
Replacing POTS lines may not feel urgent—until your elevator phone fails during an emergency, or your alarm panel goes dead. At Verenity, we’re here to make that transition seamless, safe, and strategic.
🚀 Ready to Sunset Your Copper?
Let us help you build a custom POTS replacement strategy. Whether you're managing a single office, a retail chain, or an entire campus, Verenity has the experience and partnerships to deliver secure, scalable solutions that meet regulatory and business requirements.
📅 Schedule a call with us today
📧 Or contact us directly at 817-841-9606 to discuss your unique environment and requirements.
