Goodbyes are always bittersweet, and POTS is no exception. Many companies know that the sun is setting on POTS in telecom but aren’t sure why they have to say goodbye just yet. Or even how to. If you’re one of those companies, this blog post is for you.
In it, we’ll explain why moving on from POTS is the right decision and outline how you can make that move confidently.
What You Can Expect if You Stick with POTS Phones
Before we show you how easy upgrading is, let’s explore what companies can expect if they stick with POTS to the bitter end.
Higher Costs
Most major carriers are looking to phase out their landline services in favor of IP-based communication. After all, most of their customers prefer VoIP. IP infrastructure is far easier and cheaper to maintain than copper-based POTS in telecom.
While the FCC wouldn’t let them discontinue service entirely or immediately, it did remove the price cap on POTS lines. Now, carriers can raise prices on POTS services whenever and however they like, passing on the increasing upkeep costs to their customers.
Since the customer base for POTS is so small already, those prices will probably be quite high, resulting in inflated communication costs and busted budgets all around.
Incompatibility with More Modern Systems
Because technology has evolved so much in such a short time, many modern communication solutions just aren’t compatible with POTS lines. As companies upgrade their technology to keep pace with the times, they might struggle to integrate their POTS systems with new equipment and software.
Thus, they’ll be forced to spend more money on additional services to help their systems work together or to settle for a phone system that doesn’t meet all their communication needs.
More Maintenance Challenges
POTS infrastructure requires quite a bit of upkeep on a good day. But as they age, they’ll become more susceptible to environmental disruption and equipment failures and need even more maintenance, which is where the challenge begins.
As carriers phase out support for POTS lines, companies will need to start looking for their own POTS technicians. However, these skilled professionals are growing scarcer, making it harder for businesses to maintain quality communications. Eventually, their POTS-based systems will be plagued by static, downtime, and other disruptions.
Which brings us to another important point.
Eventual Obsolescence
Carriers are prioritizing new technologies like VoIP over fiber networks. As more of their resources are funneled into those priorities, the availability of support for POTS lines will naturally diminish.
Ultimately, POTS lines in telecom might not be supported at all, leaving businesses with no choice but to find an alternate solution. But by then, companies might find themselves at a distinct disadvantage compared to competitors who made the switch sooner.
How You Can Move on From POTS in Telecom
And now, it’s time to talk about how to successfully transition from POTS-based to IP-based services.
Step 1: Assess Your Current Communication Needs
Take stock of what your current communication system looks like and how it fits into your day-to-day operations. Ask questions like:
- What additional communication features do you need, if any?
- Does your current system integrate with or support newer technologies?
- Who’s using your system the most and why?
Answering questions like these will help you discover what kind of IP-based solution you’ll need. If you want to be thorough, we recommend asking your employees about their communication preferences. It never hurts to have a system everyone’s happy with.
Step 2: Find an IP Solution That Meets Those Needs
Once you’ve gotten a rough idea of your communication needs, it’s time to pick your solution. To help you get started, we’ve assembled a few of the most popular options:
A) Hybrid Solutions
Hybrid solutions might be the answer for companies who want to leverage their existing hardware investments. It’s the middle ground between traditional and IP-based systems and will let you have the best of both worlds for as long as POTS lines are available. This would be a temporary solution in the long run, but it’ll help make the transition easier when it has to come.
B) Cloud PBX Offerings
If you’re in need of a feature-rich phone system and are ready to make the switch, consider a cloud PBX (otherwise known as a hosted VoIP system). These systems eliminate the need for any POTS lines, moving all your phone services to the cloud (i.e., online). They’re affordable, flexible, and easy to scale, making them an excellent option for small-to-medium businesses in need of high-quality calling.
C) Unified Communications as a Service Platform
If you want an all-in-one platform capable of bringing all your communications “under one roof,” then you’ll need a UCaaS solution. These platforms often include features like:
- Instant messaging
- Video conferencing
- Plug-and-play integrations with other essential business software
Step 3: Prepare & Train Your Employees
After you’ve picked your platform, it’s time to prepare your team! Work with your chosen provider to provide comprehensive training on the new system. This includes everything from knowing how to use each feature to troubleshooting minor issues. Such an investment will streamline the transition and give your team the confidence they need to get the most out of your new phone system as soon as possible.
Step 4: Gradually Migrate While Monitoring & Optimizing
Start with pilot testing your new solution in specific departments or, if you’re a larger company, in a particular location. See how your employees fare and how the system reacts and address any issues that may arise. Once you’ve seen success, start gradually rolling out your new communication across the entire company.
Be sure to monitor this process closely, continue gathering feedback, and keep tweaking your system so it fits your needs like a glove. Taking this phased, hands-on approach will help minimize disruptions to your team members and customers and ensure hassle-free integration for each location and department.
Step 5: Retire Your Legacy Systems
If you’ve completely moved away from your legacy system, it’s time to say goodbye. Make sure to decommission outdated POTS services and equipment, taking care to avoid unnecessary costs and maintenance overhead. While it has served you well in the past, you’re now ready to embrace whatever the future throws at you.
Make the Move Away from POTS with Loop Start
Are you looking to break up with your current POTS system or perhaps offer your customers a better, more modern solution? No matter if you’re a small business or an MSP, Loop Start has you covered! Our VoIP-based communication products can help you confidently meet the future of communication. See it for yourself by reaching out to us today, and we’ll happily show you around.
