POTS Line Replacement: Why Copper Retirement Is Costing You More Than You Think

SpendWire Team•3 min read•November 11, 2026

Carriers are raising POTS line prices to force migration. Lines that cost $25 five years ago now cost $65-150. Here is how to replace them.

Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) lines are disappearing, and carriers are accelerating the process by making them prohibitively expensive. AT&T, Verizon, and Lumen have all received regulatory approval to retire copper networks in many markets. The lines that cost $25-35 per month five years ago now cost $65-150 per month in many areas, with further increases planned.

Why POTS Lines Still Exist in Enterprises

Despite the price increases, POTS lines persist because they serve critical non-voice functions that are easy to overlook:

Fire alarm panels (required by code in many jurisdictions)

Elevator emergency phones (required by ADA and local building codes)

Security and burglar alarm systems

Fax machines (healthcare, legal, and financial institutions)

Point-of-sale credit card terminals

Building access control and intercom systems

Weather monitoring and environmental sensors

Emergency power generator monitoring

The Cost Explosion

Historical POTS Pricing

2018: $20-35 per line per month

2020: $30-50 per line per month

2022: $45-80 per line per month

2024-2026: $65-150 per line per month (and rising)

An enterprise with 50 POTS lines paying $100 each spends $60,000 per year on analog lines. Five years ago, those same lines cost $15,000 per year.

Replacement Options

Cellular POTS Replacement

Devices from companies like Ooma, Telergy, and ClearlyIP replace the POTS line with a cellular connection. The device plugs into the same RJ-11 jack and provides a dial tone over 4G/LTE.

Cost: $20-40 per month per line (including cellular service)

Pros: no internet required, battery backup, quick installation

Cons: cellular coverage dependent, may not meet fire code in some jurisdictions

SIP-Based POTS Replacement

A small ATA (Analog Telephone Adapter) converts the analog signal to SIP over your existing internet connection.

Cost: $10-25 per month per line plus $50-150 one-time for the ATA

Pros: lowest cost option, uses existing internet

Cons: requires internet connectivity, power dependent (need UPS)

Managed POTS Replacement Services

Companies like Granite, Ooma Enterprise, and 8x8 offer managed services specifically designed to replace POTS lines for fire alarms, elevators, and security systems. They handle the compliance, monitoring, and failover.

Cost: $30-50 per month per line

Pros: compliance handled, monitoring included, carrier-grade reliability

Cons: higher cost than DIY options

Compliance Considerations

Fire Alarm Panels

NFPA 72 and local fire codes govern fire alarm communications. Many jurisdictions now accept cellular or IP-based monitoring, but you must verify with your local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) before replacing POTS lines on fire panels. Get written approval.

Elevators

ADA requires two-way communication in elevators. Cellular POTS replacement devices are generally accepted, but verify with your elevator maintenance company and local building inspector.

Security Systems

Most modern security monitoring companies support cellular communication. Converting from POTS to cellular is typically straightforward with panel reprogramming.

The Action Plan

Inventory all POTS lines by function (voice, fax, alarm, elevator, security)

Prioritize replacement by cost (highest monthly charge first)

Verify compliance requirements for fire, elevator, and security lines

Deploy replacement technology in phases, testing each application before disconnecting POTS

Use SpendWire to track POTS line costs across all invoices and monitor disconnection processing

Every month you wait, POTS prices increase. The savings from replacement are immediate and compound over time.

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