As technology continues to advance at a rapid pace, more and more businesses find themselves having to upgrade their communication systems. POTS line (Plain Old Telephone System) used to be the dependable go-to tool for companies across all industries. However, in recent years, they have been fading out of the market for many reasons, even though POTS are still an important part of some companies’ communication infrastructure. This blog will look at the advantages, disadvantages, and alternatives to POTS lines for businesses.
What are POTS lines?
Before we jump into all the details, let’s start by defining what these lines are. POTS lines are the traditional telephone lines that businesses have relied on for decades. These lines are linked by copper wires that travel from a central office to individual homes and businesses. POTS connections are well-known for their dependability and are frequently utilized as a backup communication option during power outages and crises.
Source: https://networkencyclopedia.com/plain-old-telephone-service-pots/
What are the Benefits of POTS lines?
We’re not going to say POTS lines are bad – because they aren’t! Some businesses benefit from POTS, finding it a good option for their communications. Some of these benefits include:
- Reliability: Since they are not dependent on the internet or electricity, these lines can continue functioning even during power outages and withstand some disruptions. This makes them a good backup option for businesses that must maintain communication during emergencies.
- Simplicity: They are easy to install and use, requiring no special equipment or software. This makes them a great option for businesses without dedicated IT staff or a large budget for communication solutions.
- Call Quality: Because they are not affected by internet congestion or bandwidth issues, these lines can offer uninterrupted call quality.
What are the Disadvantages?
Unfortunately, there are also quite a few reasons why this communication system is being replaced by its VoIP-based competitors. One of the main ones is that they will soon be phased out. Here are some disadvantages that come from using these types of lines:
- Cost: Expenses can quickly rack up with POTS. Since they are connected via copper wires, they are subject to expensive maintenance and repair costs. This can be especially problematic for businesses in rural or remote areas where phone infrastructure may need to be updated or expanded.
- Expensive long-distance calling: Speaking of costs, we have to talk about long-distance calling. Since POTS lines are not connected to the internet, you may face high long-distance calling charges when making calls outside your local area.
- Limited features: POTS offers basic voice communication and lacks the advanced features many businesses need in today’s digital age, such as instant messaging and file sharing.
- Lack of flexibility and mobility: These lines are tied to a physical location and cannot be easily moved. This gets complicated for businesses with remote workers or workers who travel frequently. Furthermore, if your company has multiple locations, you wouldn’t be able to move around as you need.
- Lack of scalability: Scaling up or down with POTS is problematic, as it requires new physical lines to be installed whenever you need to scale up. This can be a time-consuming and costly process, especially for businesses that need to add or remove lines frequently.
- Vulnerability to weather conditions: POTS connections are vulnerable to weather conditions such as lightning strikes and flooding, which can cause service disruptions.
Alternatives to POTS
The good news is that businesses looking to upgrade or replace their POTS connections have many options. Modern-day phone systems come packed with advantages that make them better suited for today’s business world, where we rely heavily on our communications technology. Some of these alternatives include:
- VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol): VoIP systems transmit voice calls over the internet. They are less expensive than POTS-based systems and include many advanced features. They are more flexible and reliable since you only need an internet-connected device to connect to the software and stay communicated! This type of phone system is separate from a physical location, and installation and maintenance are quick and cost-effective.
- SIP (Session Initiation Protocol): SIP Trunking is a hybrid solution that combines the dependability of POTS with sophisticated VoIP system features. It transmits calls over the internet yet connects to the regular phone network via a SIP trunk. This can be an excellent alternative for businesses who want the benefits of VoIP but need to keep their POTS connections reliable.
We have Everything You Need at Invision Technologies!
Ready to upgrade from POTS lines to a modern and reliable phone system? Invision Technologies offers a powerful and affordable hosted phone system with the advanced features your team wants and needs. Contact us today to learn more and schedule a demo!
