November 19, 2021

Three Reasons You Need To Upgrade to POTS in a BOX

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When copper-wire-based lines (POTS) go away...

...POTS in a BOX can upgrade legacy lines to provide you with needed safety features.

POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) lines employ analog signals over copper wires, the kind you've seen running through your home or office. Because of the copper lines, POTS has been extremely reliable and crucial for services such as security alarms, temperature sensors, water meters, fire alarms, elevators, and many more.

But, new services are replacing POTS lines

Although extremely reliable with good voice quality, POTS is limited: few features, low bandwidth, and no mobile capabilities. Plus, maintenance on copper lines is expensive (it is estimated carriers spend $13 billion every year on copper line maintenance). Consequently, new technologies like VoIP have been introduced with greater features available, like the ability to integrate with different business applications, mobility and remote access, voicemail to email, voicemail to text, auto-attendants, DND abilities, and scalability.

Because of these new, next-generation technologies and high cost of maintenance on POTS lines, we're seeing three main reasons why it is time for you to upgrade:

#1: FCC Order 10-72A1 mandates all POTS Lines in the USA be replaced with an alternative service by August 2, 2022

The end of copper landlines is coming. The FCC granted a forbearance request that removed the obligations from all the companies that support analog lines. Put simply, carriers will no longer be obligated to maintain the copper lines enabling POTS, allowing them to save billions each year.

#2: The cost of legacy POTS lines will continue to rise

Without the obligation to maintain the lines, customers who still rely on POTS will see the maintenance costs skyrocket. Many customers already see an increase in cost — anywhere from 30-40% more. We expect this trend to continue, as carriers incentivize customers to convert to less expensive, next generation technology, like POTS in a BOX.

#3: VoIP Solutions can't work with certain analog applications

Many "speciality lines" like alarm, FAX, elevator, fire, e-911, and modem data are not compatible with typical Unified Communications solutions like VoIP. This is because many alarm dialers like the ones found in commercial fire alarm control panels are connected to the central monitoring station using two POTS lines. These lines transmit unique signals to communicate with the monitoring centers. VoIP technology is unable to send these correct signals to the monitoring stations — rendering them not an optional replacement.

Your solution? Upgrade to POTS in a BOX

POTS in a BOX is an appliance that directly replaces wireline POTS lines — including capability for transmission of voice, FAX, alarm, analog data, ring-down, emergency lines, and full access to E-911. POTS in a BOX enables legacy analog wirelines in-band voice currently connected to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).

By upgrading from a traditional POTS line to POTS in a BOX, you can expect to instantly save between 30-40% in costs.

POTS in a BOX capabilities:

  • Auto failover ISP
  • ISP via cellular
  • Utility Automatic Meter Reading
  • Legacy Analog Modem Support
  • Modem – Compatible with alarm systems & utility meters
  • Ringdown – Control Gates/locks, Courtesy phone etc.
  • Support for Legacy FAX Transmission
  • DTMF – Dual Tone Multi Frequency

POTS in a BOX features:

  • Direct plug & play Analog POTS line replacement
  • (2) RJ-11 lines
  • Integrated Router with 1 WAN port
  • 2 wired Gigabit LAN Ports
  • Support for legacy FAX Transmission
  • Burglar and Fire Alarm Signal Transmission
  • Ring-Down telephone line circuit
  • Native Analog M2M Support
  • Legacy Analog Modem support
  • Automatic Utility Meter reading
  • Telemetry command and control (SCADA)
  • Emergency Responder Access
  • SMB Router/Gateway
  • Integral Wi-Fi (Host & Client)
  • Band 14 option
  • LTE Dual Cell carrier capable
  • GPS capable
  • Up to 24-Hour power failover battery
  • One number dialer capable
  • Elevator, Paging, Taxi phone line (Auto dial)

Start Upgrading to POTS in a Box Today

As the deadline approaches, expect to see the cost of traditional POTS lines increase even more. Start saving instantly when you upgrade to POTS in a BOX today. Partner with FiberWave, a leading technology service broker and an AT&T Solution Provider Platinum Elite 2021 Champion, to assist you with the change.