How do I know if my POTS lines will be decommissioned soon?

Each carrier maintains a decommission schedule by area and phone number. Send your POTS line phone numbers to hello@thetechref.com and we will check the carrier decommission schedule for you — free of charge. This tells you whether you have months or years before your lines are affected.

What devices rely on POTS lines?

Many critical life-safety and building systems rely on analog POTS lines: fire alarm panels, elevator phones, boiler room lines, building entry systems, security alarm panels, public safety phones, point-of-sale systems, and essential business phone lines. All of these require a compliant POTS replacement solution when copper lines are retired.

How much does a POTS replacement solution cost?

Our next-gen POTS replacement service is priced at $39.95/line per month for 1–20 lines, $35.00/line per month for 21–250 lines, with additional volume discounts for 251+ lines. There is an optional one-time installation of $20/line. Unlimited usage is included.

Is the POTS replacement solution life-safety compliant?

Yes. The solution is built with applicable guidelines of UL, NFPA 72, and ASME A17.1B in mind — the standards that govern fire alarm systems and elevator communications. It also operates on an MFVN-compliant network, ensuring traffic never traverses the public Internet.

Decommissioning Now Through 2030

POTS Lines Are Going Away. Are You Ready?

Q: Can I keep my existing phone numbers?

Yes. Existing telephone numbers can be ported to the new POTS replacement service, so your alarm panels, elevator phones, and other connected devices continue working with no changes to those systems.

Telecom carriers are decommissioning traditional copper phone lines across the US at a rapid pace. Send us your POTS line phone numbers and we'll check the carrier decommission schedule for you — free.

Get Your Free Decommission Check See the Solution

For planning purposes, decommissioning can occur at any time, now through 2030.
Send us your POTS line phone numbers and we'll check the carrier decommission schedule for you.

The Problem

Your Copper Lines Are on a Clock

Telecom providers are decommissioning POTS (plain old telephone service) lines across the US at a rapid pace. As the number of copper lines decreases, your cost to keep a traditional phone line is increasing.

Have you looked at your current phone bill?

Most organizations rely on POTS and analog phone lines to support critical communications and life safety devices. When those lines go dark — with or without advance notice — the consequences can be serious.

Devices That Depend on POTS Lines

Fire alarm panels
Elevator phones
Boiler room lines
Building entry systems
Security alarm panels
Point-of-sale systems

The Solution

Let Us Help You With a Next-Gen POTS Replacement Solution

One all-inclusive solution that keeps your existing systems running — no rip-and-replace, no headaches — while cutting your monthly costs.

✅

Regulatory Compliant

Built with applicable guidelines of UL, NFPA 72, and ASME A17.1B in mind — the standards that govern fire safety and elevator communications.

📦

All-Inclusive Hardware & Service

Everything you need in one package: hardware, phone service, and dedicated wireless network. No piecing together multiple vendors.

💵

One Low Monthly Rate

Simple, flat-rate pricing per line with unlimited usage. Significant savings compared to aging copper line infrastructure.

Provides continued support for your organization's:

Security Alarm Panels

Elevator Phones

Fire Alarm Panels

Public Safety Phones

Point-of-Sale Systems

Building Entry Systems

Essential Phone Lines*

& more..

*Essential phone lines may be subject to certain restrictions.

All while reducing costs, saving time, and avoiding the hassle — we handle all the legwork for you.

Why Choose This Technology

10 Reasons to Switch Now

Everything you need to know about why next-gen POTS replacement is the right move — and why waiting costs you.

Tremendous Value

Keep using your existing communications, life safety, and alarm systems while saving significant money on monthly phone bills.

Significant Savings vs. Copper Line Infrastructure

Flat monthly pricing with unlimited usage. No surprise rate increases as copper infrastructure continues to be retired.

All-Inclusive Solution

Reduce complexity and resolve all POTS challenges with one provider for single or multiple locations across the US — hardware, data, and dedicated wireless network phone service (T-Mobile, AT&T, or US Cellular, depending on signal strength).

Keep Your Telephone Numbers

Existing telephone numbers can be ported. Your alarm panels, elevator phones, and other devices keep working with no changes.

Life-Safety Compliant

Built with applicable guidelines of UL, NFPA 72, and ASME A17.1B in mind — fire alarm and elevator communication standards.

Increased Visibility

Manage all locations and devices using an intuitive web portal. Get SMS and email alerts should outages occur or when batteries are low.

Easy to Install & Deploy

Attach hardware to any wall or place on any flat surface. Configure easily to provide LTE failover for mission-critical VoIP lines. Self-install or tech-installed.

Backup Battery Included

Service keeps working for at least 8 hours during power failures — critical for fire alarm panels and elevator phones.

Simple Migration

Quick, easy path to get started. Organizations can keep using existing life safety systems — no need to replace compliant equipment.

Secure Network

Operating on an MFVN-compliant network ensures traffic never traverses the public Internet — critical for life-safety communications.

Pricing

Simple, Flat-Rate Pricing

Unlimited usage included. No hidden fees. Significant savings over traditional copper line pricing.

1 – 20 lines
Unlimited usage
$39.95 / line

21 – 250 lines

Unlimited usage

$35.00 / line

251+ lines
Unlimited usage
Contact us

Optional One-Time Installation

Per line, self-install available

$20.00 / line

All pricing is per line per month. Volume discounts for 251+ lines — contact us for a quote.

FAQ

POTS Replacement Questions, Answered

Common questions from organizations managing POTS line transitions.

Decommissioning Basics

What is POTS and why is it being decommissioned?

POTS stands for Plain Old Telephone Service — the traditional copper wire-based phone network. Telecom carriers are decommissioning these legacy lines across the US because the infrastructure is aging and expensive to maintain. The FCC authorized carriers to retire POTS infrastructure, and decommissioning is happening now through 2030. As copper lines disappear, costs for remaining lines are increasing sharply.

How do I find out if my POTS lines will be decommissioned?

Each carrier maintains a decommission schedule by area and phone number. Email your POTS line phone numbers to hello@thetechref.com and we'll check the carrier decommission schedule for you — free of charge. This tells you how urgently you need to plan your transition.

The Solution

Do I need to replace my existing alarm panels or elevator phones?

No. That's the advantage of a next-gen POTS replacement solution. The hardware connects to your existing analog devices — fire panels, elevator phones, entry systems, alarm panels — and provides them with LTE-based connectivity instead of copper. Your existing compliant equipment keeps working as-is.

What wireless carriers are used for the LTE connection?

The solution uses T-Mobile, AT&T, or US Cellular depending on signal strength at your location — whichever provides the best coverage. This ensures reliable connectivity even in areas where one carrier may have weaker signal.

Can I keep my existing phone numbers?

Yes. Existing telephone numbers can be ported to the new service. Your alarm monitoring stations, elevator dispatch systems, and other services that dial your POTS numbers continue to reach them — no changes required on those systems.

Compliance & Safety

Is this solution compliant with fire alarm and elevator code requirements?

Yes. The solution is built with applicable guidelines of UL, NFPA 72 (fire alarm code), and ASME A17.1B (elevator safety code) in mind. It also operates on an MFVN-compliant network, meaning voice traffic never traverses the public Internet — a requirement for many life-safety applications.

What happens if the power goes out?

The hardware includes a built-in backup battery that keeps the service running for at least 8 hours during power failures — critical for fire alarm panels and elevator phones that must remain operational during emergencies.

Related Services

Modernizing Your Communications?

POTS replacement is one piece of the puzzle. We help with the full picture.

📞

Find Out When Your POTS Lines Are Going Away

Send us your POTS line phone numbers. We'll check the carrier decommission schedule and come back with a clear migration plan — at no cost to you.

hello@thetechref.com

No forms. No obligation. Response within one business day.