When you think of old-fashioned technology, what comes to mind? Maybe rotary phones or VHS tapes? But what about Plain Old Telephone Service lines, otherwise known as POTS? These outdated phone lines have been around for over a century, and while they may have served us well in the past, it’s time to say goodbye. It’s time to start looking for a POTS line replacement.
POTS Line Replacement: Why POTS Needs to Retire
Let’s face it. POTS lines have been due for retirement for a while. After all, they have supported our communication services since the invention of the telephone in the 1870s. Once the most reliable way to communicate, POTS lines have developed some problems that make it hard for them to keep up with today’s world. Here are just a few:
- Limited functionality. POTS lines can only transmit voice data, so you can’t send text messages, images, or video files over POTS lines. This is a significant disadvantage in today’s digital age because we rely heavily on multimedia communication.
- Lack of reliability. POTS lines are connected via copper wires, which are susceptible to interference from the weather and unexpected electrical outages. If your phone line goes down in either of these cases, it can take days for a technician to come out and fix it. That’s a lot of lost time and productivity for your business.
- Little-to-no mobility. Once installed, POTS lines are fixed to that particular location. Moving them requires significant effort and expense. This can be a problem for businesses that need to relocate or expand, as it can result in longer-than-average downtime and additional costs. Plus, with so many remote and hybrid teams, having dedicated POTS lines isn’t practical anymore.
- Extensive maintenance requirements. Since POTS technology is outdated, it can be challenging to find spare parts, and technicians with the necessary skills are becoming increasingly harder to find.
- Less-than-stellar audio. Copper lines pick up other noises, like electricity or radio waves, resulting in strange interference on calls. Plus, the farther your call has to travel through the copper line, the weaker it becomes. The sound might get distorted or hard to hear if you’re talking to someone far away.
- Less support from POTS providers. In 2019, the FCC made a decision that allowed phone companies to stop fixing their POTS copper lines. So, when those wires break down, the big-name providers are moving people to newer technology like fiber optic or wireless. Businesses are told to pay more for their landline or switch to something new.
While POTS lines may have served us well in the past, it’s time to retire them for good. The future of communication lies squarely in the hands of VoIP-based solutions.
VoIP-Based Phone Systems: The First Choice of POTS Line Replacements
Instead of relying on copper wires, VoIP-based systems use the internet to make and receive calls. And because of their many benefits, more businesses are turning to these solutions as their POTS line replacements. Here are some of our favorite benefits:
- Extensive cost savings. Since VoIP phone systems use the internet to make calls, there is no need for dedicated phone lines – which are expensive to install and maintain. Plus, since these systems send all calls over the internet, you no longer have to pay for international or long-distance calls! This change dramatically reduces monthly costs, especially for businesses that make a lot of phone calls.
- More flexibility. Speaking of internet-based calling, VoIP-based POTS line replacements allow users to make and receive calls from anywhere with an internet connection. Your teams can work remotely, from home, or on the go, without interrupting their work or phone service.
- Simple scalability. Whether you’re a small business or a large corporation, you can easily scale a VoIP phone system to meet your needs. With LightSpar, you can add new phones, numbers, and virtual phone lines straight from our online platform.
- Advanced features for modern business models. VoIP-based POTS line replacements offer a range of advanced features not available with traditional phone systems. Such features include video conferencing, instant messaging, voicemail-to-email, and a whole lot more.
- Increased reliability. Because VoIP phone systems use high-speed internet connections to transmit voice data, they’re far more reliable than traditional POTS lines.
Find Your Perfect POTS Line Replacement with Lightspar
If you’re still using POTS lines for your business communications, it’s time to switch to a modern and more efficient system.
At Lightspar, we offer cloud-based voice communications solutions that can improve your communication capabilities while reducing costs.
Our team of experts can guide you through the transition process, ensuring minimal disruption to your business operations.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward a more effective and streamlined communication system!
