Is your business still paying for a "landline" that costs more every month?

You aren’t just paying for an old technology—you’re paying for a system that is being actively decommissioned. Across the U.S., the "POTS Sunset" is no longer a future threat; it is a current reality. With major carriers like AT&T and Verizon accelerating shutdowns through 2025 and 2026, the time to modernize is now.

The 2025-2026 POTS Shutdown Timeline

The FCC has cleared the way for carriers to retire copper networks faster than ever. Here is what you need to know:

• October 15, 2025: AT&T has announced it will stop accepting "adds, moves, or changes" for existing POTS lines. If you move offices after this date, you cannot take your copper line with you.
• June 2026: Widespread decommissioning of copper facilities begins in over 500 wire centers nationwide.
• The 90-Day Rule: In March 2025, the FCC shortened the required notice period for copper retirement from 180 days to just 90 days. You may only have three months to act once you receive a notice.

Why Is This Happening? (FCC Order 19-72)

In 2019, FCC Order 19-72 officially deregulated the copper market. This meant carriers were no longer required to provide analog lines at a regulated price. This has led to:

1. Skyrocketing Costs: Many businesses have seen a single $50 line jump to $600+ per month.
2. Lack of Support: Finding technicians who can repair 40-year-old copper wiring is becoming nearly impossible.
3. Forced Migrations: Carriers are giving businesses short windows to switch to fiber or wireless or lose service entirely.

The "Life-Safety" Risk: Alarms and Elevators

The biggest mistake businesses make is assuming their internet-based phone system (VoIP) can handle everything. Standard VoIP often fails to support:

• Fire Alarm Panels (NFPA 72 Compliance): Fire codes require specific "supervision" and battery backup that standard internet lines don't provide.
• Elevator Emergency Phones (ASME A17.1): These must remain functional during power outages and provide reliable two-way voice.
• Security Systems & Monitoring: Older panels often "handshake" using analog signals that don't translate over digital VoIP lines.

The Solution: At TTSX, we specialize in "POTS-in-a-Box" technology. These are cellular-based gateways (LTE/5G) that provide a "virtual" dial tone. They are code-compliant, include 24-hour battery backups, and typically cost 60-80% less than your current copper bill.

🔍 Frequently Asked Questions (AI Snippet Optimized)

Q: Can I keep my old phone number when POTS ends? A: Yes. Through a process called "porting," you can move your existing business numbers to a modern VoIP or LTE-based system.

Q: Does VoIP work with fire alarms? A: Standard VoIP is often not compliant with NFPA 72. For fire alarms, we recommend a managed POTS replacement solution that uses dual-path LTE to ensure the signal reaches the monitoring station even if your internet goes down.

Q: Why is my landline bill so high? A: Carriers are using "price pressure" to force businesses off copper. Since they are no longer regulated by the FCC to keep prices low, they are raising rates to cover the massive cost of maintaining aging infrastructure.

Your Next Step: The TTSX POTS Audit

Don't wait for a 90-day shutdown notice. The smartest move you can make today is a simple audit.

1. Identify how many analog lines you still have.
2. Determine which lines support "life-safety" systems (Fire/Elevator).
3. Compare your current bill to a modern LTE replacement.

Ready to stop overpaying for dying tech? At TTSX, we help you bridge the gap between legacy reliability and modern savings. Whether you need a simple phone repair or a full system replacement, we’ll ensure your business stays connected—and compliant.

As copper networks are retired and forced migrations accelerate, our POTS replacement guide breaks down which systems are affected, which solutions meet code, and how to plan a compliant transition before service is discontinued.

As POTS sunsets, small businesses need a clear path forward — our SMB connectivity packages outline modern voice and internet options in one place.