FCC 2025 POTS Shutdown Guide : What Businesses Must Know
The FCC has made a decisive move toward the retirement of traditional analog “Plain Old Telephone Service” (POTS) lines. On March 20, 2025, new rule changes were announced that give telecommunications carriers expanded authority to shut down copper-based POTS networks—impacting millions of business-critical phone lines nationwide.
If your organization still relies on analog lines for elevators, fire alarms, or security systems, now is the time to act. These changes mean that POTS replacement is no longer optional—it’s urgent.
Shortened Shutdown Notices Demand Immediate Action
One of the most significant updates in the new FCC regulations is the reduction in the required shutdown notice period—from 180 days down to just 90 days. That means your business may have as little as three months to transition once your carrier gives notice. By proactively replacing legacy lines now, you maintain control over your timeline—avoiding rushed deployments and minimizing downtime, especially for critical systems.
Shortened Shutdown Notices Demand Immediate Action
One of the most significant updates in the new FCC regulations is the reduction in the required shutdown notice period—from 180 days down to just 90 days. That means your business may have as little as three months to transition once your carrier gives notice. By proactively replacing legacy lines now, you maintain control over your timeline—avoiding rushed deployments and minimizing downtime, especially for critical systems. “Businesses now have only three months to replace their analog POTS lines once notified.”
What’s at Risk: Life-Safety & Security Systems on POTS Lines Many essential systems still rely on analog copper lines because of their built-in power supply and historically high reliability. Systems commonly impacted include:
- Fire alarm control panels
- Security alarm systems
- Fax and Postage Machines
- Emergency elevator phones
- Door access control
- Medical alert lines
- POS terminals requiring analog connectivity
Modern POTS replacement solutions are now built with all the features necessary to meet—or exceed—the reliability of traditional POTS:
- Multi-day battery backups (up to 48 hours)
- Redundant wireless (LTE/5G) and wired connectivity
- Automatic failover between networks
- Remote system monitoring and alerts
- Full VoIP compatibility
Analog Line Costs Are Rising—Rapidly
The FCC’s 2019 Order 19-72 lifted pricing restrictions for analog line providers. Since then, POTS line costs have increased at an average annual rate of 31.4% (source: bls.gov). Businesses are now paying hundreds of dollars per month—per line.
The reason for the rapid increase is simple: The companies responsible for the POTS infrastructure for decades have shifted their focus to building wireless mobile networks. The FCC’s removal of those carriers’ obligations to maintain the POTS network has further caused prices to skyrocket.
By switching to a modern POTS replacement solution, you can cut those costs by 75% or more—especially across multiple facilities.
Don’t Wait for the 90-Day Notice—Act Now
The end of analog POTS service is not just coming—it’s accelerating. Waiting for a shutdown notice could leave your organization scrambling. Get ahead of the curve with a reliable, cost-effective POTS replacement strategy.
Contact Sonoran Integrations today to learn more or schedule a no-obligation consultation. We’ll coordinate with you to demonstrate the solution and help you make a seamless transition—without compromising reliability or compliance.”
