The end of copper phone lines: What business owners need to know

For decades, copper phone lines were the backbone of business communication. Reliable, widespread and simple, they handled everything from voice calls to fax machines. But those days are coming to a close. Telecommunications providers are phasing out traditional copper infrastructure in favor of internet-based systems. This shift is already happening across the United States, and it’s more than just a technical upgrade: It has real consequences for business operations.

Understanding copper phone lines

Beginning in the late 19th century, copper wires carried analog signals over the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) so people and businesses could communicate with each other by telephone. Over time, the vast majority of these copper wires were replaced with fiber-optic cables, microwave transmission links and cellular networks; those that remained became known as “plain old telephone service” (POTS) lines. POTS lines are known for their ability to work even during power outages, which made them dependable for voice services and devices like alarms, credit card machines and elevators.

While the POTS technology was groundbreaking in its time, it doesn’t meet today’s demands. Maintaining these lines has become increasingly expensive, and fewer customers are using them. In fact, many business owners may not even realize that they still depend on copper phone lines until those lines fail.

Why are copper lines disappearing?

Phone companies are phasing out POTS lines for a variety of reasons:

• High maintenance costs: Repairing and maintaining aging copper networks is expensive and labor-intensive.
• Limited capability: Copper can’t support modern data speeds or bandwidth needs.
• Low usage: Fiber optics and VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) offer faster, more efficient communication at a lower cost, so fewer businesses and households are using traditional landlines.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) doesn’t require phone companies to maintain copper infrastructure indefinitely. In fact, providers are actively retiring it, and in some areas, repairs and support for copper lines have already ended. Those that have not been retired are falling into disrepair, making reliability a concern. Eventually, service over these lines will no longer be available.

What happens when copper lines fail?

When a copper line fails, anything connected to it may stop working. That means dropped calls, malfunctioning fax machines and communication blackouts during emergencies. And unlike modern digital systems that rely on the internet and backup power sources, copper infrastructure can degrade without obvious warning signs. Some businesses may not even notice a problem until it’s too late.

Key systems that may be at risk

If your business still uses any of the following, you could be affected by the phase-out of copper lines:

• Landline phone systems: Traditional desk phones not connected to VoIP may stop working without copper service.
• Alarm systems: Many older fire and burglar alarms still rely on copper phone lines to reach monitoring centers.
• Elevator phones: Required by code in many commercial buildings, these often depend on POTS lines.
• Point-of-sale (POS) devices: Some dial-up credit card machines still use copper lines instead of IP-based or cellular options.
• Fax machines: Used in law offices, medical clinics and other regulated industries, fax machines may need an upgrade or internet-based replacement.
• DSL internet: If your business uses DSL, the shutdown of copper lines could also affect your internet access.

These systems often operate behind the scenes, and many business owners assume that they’ll keep working forever. But as support for copper lines disappears, that’s no longer a safe bet.

What are the alternatives?

There are several modern solutions available:

• VoIP phone service: This sends calls over the internet instead of through traditional copper phone lines. VoIP is cost-effective and typically offers features like call forwarding, voicemail-to-email transcription and video conferencing, too.
• Fiber optic networks: Faster and more reliable than copper, these lines are the foundation for most modern communication services. They’re also less affected by weather and physical damage.
• Wireless and cellular backup systems: Wireless phone service is a good option for alarm panels, POS systems, elevator phones and other emergency devices that need a backup communication method.
• Digital fax and secure messaging: Online fax services can replace physical fax machines, and many offer encrypted document transfers.

Steps business owners should take

1. Take inventory: Go through your business and list every system that connects to a phone line. Talk to department managers, IT teams and building maintenance staff to uncover hidden dependencies.
2. Plan a transition: Work with trusted vendors to upgrade your POTS lines to digital alternatives. This may include installing VoIP systems, switching to cellular-based alarm panels or updating payment terminals.
3. Test everything: Make sure any new systems are fully functional and compatible with your current setup before disconnecting copper service.

The phase-out of copper phone lines marks a major shift in business communication. While it may seem like a technical issue, it can disrupt critical systems if you’re not prepared. By taking action now, business owners can avoid surprises, protect their operations and stay connected with modern technology.