POTS Line Replacement
Phone companies are filing to retire copper phone lines in many areas. We find every line you have, work out what each one is connected to, and replace it with something that fits: VoIP for phones and fax, and a cellular device such as Ooma AirDial for alarms, elevators and gates.
Why look at your lines now
Retirement filings
AT&T, Verizon, Frontier, Lumen and other phone companies have filed with the FCC to stop copper service in specific areas, each with its own dates. Our free line check shows what has been filed for your number, or find your town.
Cost
Many businesses pay $80 to $150 or more a month for each basic copper line. Most replacements cost less, so lines you have to replace anyway often lower the bill.
Equipment that needs a plan
Phones are the easy part. Alarm panels, elevator phones and gates need a dial tone and often have to meet fire or elevator code, so each one needs a replacement chosen for it and tested before the copper line is cancelled.
What copper lines are still doing
The lines that get forgotten are usually the ones that matter most in an emergency.
Fire alarm panels
Call the monitoring center when the alarm goes off. Usually two lines, and both have to work.
Burglar alarms
Report break-ins and trouble signals to the monitoring company.
Elevator phones
Let someone stuck in an elevator call for help. Required by elevator code.
Gates, call boxes and fax
Gate entry, emergency call boxes, fax machines and older card terminals.
Fire and elevator code
Replacements for fire alarm and elevator lines are available with the listings those systems need, such as UL 864 for fire alarm communicators, and are used to meet NFPA 72 and ASME A17.1. What your fire marshal or elevator inspector accepts can vary, so we check with them, and with your alarm or elevator company, before anything is installed.
How it works
- Find every line. We go through your phone bills and the building and list every copper line, what it is connected to and its retirement date, if one has been filed.
- Every number on the account
- What each line is connected to
- Retirement dates for your area
- Plan each line. Each line gets the replacement that fits what it does, with the price, starting with the ones that matter most or retire first.
- VoIP for phones and fax
- Ooma AirDial for alarms, elevators and gates
- Lines you no longer need, cancelled
- Switch over. We order the replacements, coordinate the install with the installer and your alarm or elevator company, test each line, and only then cancel the copper.
- Install coordination
- Tested with the monitoring company
- Copper cancelled last
Ooma AirDial for alarms, elevators and gates
For equipment that needs a dial tone, we usually recommend Ooma AirDial. It replaces the copper line with cellular service and has battery backup, and it plugs into the phone wiring and equipment you already have. In most cases there is no new wiring and no new alarm panel.
We review your lines, confirm AirDial fits each one and handle the order. Ooma does the installation. Each line should be tested with your alarm or elevator company before the copper line is cancelled, and we stay your point of contact throughout. AirDial works anywhere in the U.S. with cellular coverage.
What AirDial replaces
- Fire and burglar alarm panels
- Elevator emergency phones
- Fax machines
- Gate and door call boxes
- Card terminals and ATMs on a dial-up line
- Pool, parking lot and campus emergency phones
Common questions
Is my phone company really retiring copper lines?
Many phone companies, including AT&T, Verizon, Frontier and Lumen, are filing with the FCC to stop copper phone service in specific areas, each with its own dates. Our free phone line retirement check shows what has been filed for your number or town.
What replaces a POTS line?
It depends on what the line is connected to. Phones and fax usually move to VoIP. Alarm panels, elevator phones and other equipment that needs a dial tone usually move to a cellular device such as Ooma AirDial. Where fiber is available, that can be an option too.
Will a replacement work with our fire alarm or elevator?
There are replacements certified for fire alarm and elevator use. What your local fire marshal or elevator inspector accepts can vary, so we check those requirements before anything is installed.
Will our alarm or elevator company need to do anything?
Usually only a test call to confirm signals are received after the switch. We help you plan that with your monitoring or elevator company.
What happens if the power goes out?
Replacement devices for alarm and elevator lines come with battery backup. How many hours the battery has to last depends on the use and local code, and we size it to match.
Will it cost more than our copper lines?
Usually less. Copper lines often run $80 to $150 or more per line each month. The replacement cost depends on what each line is used for, and we quote it line by line.
Do we have to replace every line at once?
No. We plan line by line, starting with the ones whose retirement date is closest and the ones that matter most, like fire alarms and elevators.
Can we keep our phone numbers?
For phone and fax lines, usually yes. We move the number to the new service. Alarm and elevator lines often do not need their old number, but we confirm that with your monitoring company first.
Do you work outside Arizona?
Yes. We are based in Chandler, Arizona, and work with businesses anywhere in the U.S. Ooma AirDial works anywhere with cellular coverage.
Get a plan for your lines
Free review, no site visit to start.
Tell us where the lines are and roughly what they connect to. We'll check the retirement filings for your address and come back with a plan and prices for each line.
Or call 623-307-5548
Rather talk it through?
Call 623-307-5548, or open a quote request and we'll call you.