Ooma AirDial vs POTS Link vs MetTel: POTS replacement compared
Three of the best-known managed POTS replacements, compared on the facts each company publishes about its own product. We sell Ooma AirDial, so we have kept to their own numbers and linked every source.
Updated October 15, 2026 · Twisted VoIP
What these products do
Each one is a device that gives your existing equipment the dial tone it expects from a copper line, then carries the call over cellular (and in some setups your internet connection) instead. Fire alarm panels, elevator phones, fax machines and card terminals plug into it the way they plugged into the wall jack. Each comes with a service plan and a web portal that shows whether each line is working.
The differences are in how many lines one device handles, which networks it uses, how long it runs on battery, and how you buy and install it.
Side by side
| Ooma AirDial | RCN POTS Link | MetTel POTS Transformation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lines per device | 4 (each set to voice/fax or alarm) | Up to 8 (rack units with 24 to 48) | Up to 8 |
| Networks | LTE on AT&T, T-Mobile, UScellular and Verizon; dual SIM; plus Ethernet, used at the same time ("MultiPath") | 4G/LTE or 5G on AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and US Cellular; multi-carrier SIM | Wired broadband, Wi-Fi or cellular, with dual-SIM LTE/5G failover |
| Battery (published) | More than 48 hours; more than 82 with external battery | 24 hours built in; external batteries optional | Up to 48 hours |
| Fire alarm and elevator use | Yes; lists UL 864, NFPA 72 and ASME A17.1 | Yes; "built and tested against" NFPA 72 and ASME A17.1 | Yes; device (DataRemote 90X1) listed as UL 864 |
| Monitoring | Web portal, remote management, alerts by text or email | Cloud dashboard and remote management | MetTel portal and 24/7 network operations center |
| Installation | Self-install or professional installation | Professional installation standard; self-install for qualified sites | Professional installation nationwide |
| Published pricing | Custom quote | Custom quote; hardware included in the monthly fee; 36 or 60 month price-locked terms | Custom quote |
| Typical buyers | Businesses and multi-site organizations; government purchasing contracts | Healthcare, schools, local government, property managers | Large enterprises and government agencies |
Sources: Ooma AirDial and AirDial technical specifications; RCN POTS Link and its pricing page; MetTel POTS replacement and DataRemote on the 90X1. Specs change; check the vendor's current page before you buy.
How to choose
- Count lines per location. A small office with an alarm panel and a fax needs one 4-line device. A building with several elevators and a fire panel may fit an 8-line device better.
- Check signal where the device will sit. Every one of these depends on cellular coverage inside the building, often in a basement or elevator machine room. Ask for a signal check before you commit.
- Ask what your fire marshal and elevator inspector accept. Listings and claims help, but your local authority decides. Get their answer in writing for fire alarm lines.
- Look at battery runtime against your code. Fire alarm and elevator rules set how long backup power must last; compare that to the published figure for the exact model.
- Decide who installs and who you call. Some buyers want a vendor to handle everything; others want a local partner who also handles their phones and internet.
Why we sell AirDial
We picked Ooma AirDial for most of our customers because it runs on cellular and the internet connection at the same time, has a long published battery runtime, and suits the small and mid-sized businesses we work with, usually a handful of lines per site. Ooma handles installation; we review your lines, handle the order and stay your point of contact.
If one of the others fits your building better, we will tell you. See POTS line replacement for how we work, or check your line first.
Is your line on a filing?
Questions
Which POTS replacement is best for a fire alarm panel?
All three are sold for fire alarm use. What matters most is what your local fire marshal accepts, the cellular signal at the panel, and battery runtime against your local code. Ask the authority having jurisdiction before you buy, and test the panel's signals with your monitoring company after the switch.
Does Ooma AirDial work on 5G?
The current AirDial uses LTE (4G) on AT&T, T-Mobile, UScellular and Verizon, plus an Ethernet connection. Ooma has not published 5G service for it.
How much does POTS replacement cost?
All three price by quote, based on the number of lines and sites. Copper lines themselves often cost $80 to $150 or more per line each month, so a replacement is usually cheaper per line.
Get a plan for your lines
Tell us what runs on your copper lines. We'll check the filings for your address and tell you what we'd replace each line with. No obligation. Prefer to talk? Call 623-307-5548.
Related guides
General information, not legal or code advice. Requirements depend on your state, your local authority and your equipment.