The POTS Sunset

What's happening to America's
copper phone network — and why it matters.

Traditional POTS lines have been the backbone of business communication for over a century. That era is ending. Here's the plain-language version of what's happening, why, and what it means for your business.

The basics

What is POTS, exactly?

POTS stands for Plain Old Telephone Service — the analog copper wire telephone network that has been in place since the late 1800s. It's the technology behind standard landline phones, and it's also what powers many critical systems that most people don't think about.

Beyond regular desk phones, POTS lines are used by fire alarm control panels, elevator emergency phones, burglar alarms, fax machines, point-of-sale terminals, pool and gate phones, and dozens of other devices that were designed to run on copper wiring.

Common devices that run on POTS lines:

🏢 Office desk phones 🔥 Fire alarm panels 🛗 Elevator phones 🏊 Pool emergency phones 📠 Fax machines 🔒 Security & alarm systems 💳 POS terminals (some) 🚪 Gate & entry phones
Diagram comparing traditional copper POTS network to modern cellular alternatives
Aging copper telephone infrastructure — junction box and legacy wiring
Why it's happening

Why are carriers shutting POTS down?

The copper phone network is over 100 years old. Maintaining aging physical infrastructure has become increasingly expensive for carriers, while the number of people using traditional POTS lines has declined sharply as mobile and internet-based alternatives took over.

In 2015, the FCC eliminated the requirement for carriers to maintain copper POTS infrastructure — effectively opening the door to retirement. Since then, carriers have been filing to discontinue POTS service in areas across the country, and the pace is accelerating.

FCC Order 19-72

The FCC's 2019 ruling gave carriers a clearer path to discontinue copper POTS service and accelerated the retirement timeline nationwide.

Declining POTS subscriber base

Traditional landline subscriptions have fallen dramatically over the past two decades — making continued infrastructure investment economically unviable for carriers.

Rising rates signal the end

Many carriers are aggressively raising prices on remaining POTS lines — often with little notice — as a prelude to full discontinuation.

How is the retirement unfolding?

The POTS sunset isn't a single event — it's a rolling, region-by-region process that's already well underway. Here's how it's been playing out.

2015
FCC removes mandatory POTS maintenance requirement
The FCC eliminates the obligation for carriers to maintain copper infrastructure, setting the stage for systematic retirement.
2019
FCC Order 19-72 accelerates the process
New FCC rules simplify the process for carriers to file for POTS discontinuation, and shorten the notice period required before service ends.
2020–2022
Major carriers begin large-scale retirement filings
AT&T, Lumen, Frontier, and others begin filing to discontinue POTS service in hundreds of wire centers across the country. Rate increases accelerate.
2023–2024
First widespread service discontinuations
Businesses and building owners in affected regions begin receiving discontinuation notices. Some life-safety compliance gaps emerge as equipment owners scramble for replacements.
2025–2026
Retirement pace increases significantly
Retirement filings and service discontinuations accelerate. Businesses without a replacement plan begin experiencing service losses and compliance issues.
2027–onward
Full copper retirement in most markets
Industry analysts expect the majority of legacy POTS service to be discontinued in most U.S. markets within the next few years. Businesses without modern alternatives will lose service entirely.

What happens if you don't act?

Ignoring the POTS sunset isn't a neutral choice. Here's what businesses and building owners are risking by waiting.

Complete loss of phone service

When your POTS line is discontinued, any device or system tied to it stops working. No warning, no workaround — the line simply goes dead.

Life-safety compliance violations

Fire alarm panels, elevator phones, and emergency stations that go offline may put your building out of code compliance — triggering inspections, fines, or mandatory shutdowns.

Liability exposure

In an emergency, non-functional life-safety communication equipment creates serious legal liability — especially if a building occupant is harmed when a system fails to connect.

Higher costs from last-minute replacement

Businesses that wait until their lines are discontinued often face expedited installation fees, limited equipment availability, and fewer vendor options — all of which increase cost.

Ready to understand your options?

Now that you know what's happening, the next step is finding the right replacement for your specific setup.

See Your Options → Get a Free Assessment