You’ve likely heard some kind of news about POTS lines within the last 6 years. Since 2019, there have been several updates to the phases of POTS decommissioning. In 2025, with new fervor from the FCC and carrier support, the time has come for POTS’s final sunset.
Many have already made the transition away from the legacy system. Yet, there are plenty of businesses that simply haven’t put forth the time or resources to make the full migration.
The final leg of POTS support time means these businesses will face greater hurdles to make the switch: disruptions, exploding costs, and safety risks.
Why Are POTS Lines Disappearing?
POTS lines were responsible for the majority of telephony. They transmit analog voice signals over copper wires, utilizing circuit switching to establish two-way phone connections. These lines often ran over TDM (time-division multiplexing) infrastructure.
As technology evolved, new solutions have slowly usurped POTS, such as VoIP and cloud communications.
In 2019, the FCC determined that TDM and copper loops were forcing service providers to pour more resources into preserving this outdated tech in favor of transitioning to the next-gen networks. The FCC believed that this obligation to antiquated tech was dividing focus and hampering innovation.
In March 2025, the FCC issued updated orders, reducing regulatory barriers to copper retirement. These orders mean providers are moving faster and with far less notice to sunset. This move has accelerated decommissioning nationwide.
FCC, AT&T Accelerate Retirement
To further enable providers, the FCC commissioned new orders to allow more streamlined procedures when they apply for copper decommission. Providers are also able to waive costly notice requirements.
In tandem, AT&T moved to phase out all copper-based services and support by as early as 2029. As of October 2025, no new POTS or specialty orders will be accepted.
How To Prepare For POTS Transition
For businesses still relying on POTS, the timetables continue to be blurry. While they are encouraged to migrate away from POTS, they aren’t forced to. Over time, support will steadily drop off, making the cost of specialty support extravagant. Worse, the dropping of support may come suddenly and without warning.
Even for those businesses that have been grandfathered into continued use, your provider is no longer obligated to accept change orders or moves.
The best response to the POTS sunset is careful planning and adoption of a POTS replacement solution: take inventory of all copper-based specialty lines (elevators, alarms, fire panels), confirm compatibility of replacement solutions, and plan migration ahead of deadlines.
The Cost Of Waiting For POTS Replacement
Copper isn’t limited to just voice; it impacts critical infrastructure across many industries. Many essential lines still use copper, such as elevators, fire panels, and fax.
Businesses trying to squeeze until the very last drop are in for a harsh reality. Rates are rapidly increasing, and support for these legacy systems is waning. Few are even trained on the systems anymore, causing a drought of talent.
Without functional lines for emergency features, businesses can and will be forced to close or pay enormous fines to stay compliant.
POTS Solutions To Avoid Disruptions
POTS alternatives can reduce costs, enhance performance, and improve functionality. IP-based communications like VoIP can enable connectivity and advanced features over the internet, while utilizing existing hardware.
Cloud communications deliver future-ready communications as a service. Cloud-based solutions allow MSPs to support hybrid teams, strengthening operations and encouraging scalability.
The clock is ticking on copper, and carriers have all the incentives on their side. Not only will they save billions in maintenance and repair, but there’s also value in the copper itself, prompting carriers to begin the metal recovery process.
Businesses have incentives too, but their timeline grows more critical every second. For POTS migration to be cost and time-effective, you need careful planning. Beat the flood of requests and mad dash to the finish line. Your business can plan a smooth transition by starting the plan today.
