Businesses Need to Prepare Now
The retirement of America's traditional copper telephone network is accelerating.
Major carriers are now asking the FCC for permission to discontinue legacy telephone services across large portions of the country. Verizon has sought permission to discontinue copper service affecting millions of locations across 17 states, while AT&T is seeking authority not to restore legacy service in hundreds of areas where its network has suffered damage or vandalism.
These aren't isolated projects. They are part of an industry-wide transition away from the copper network that provided traditional telephone service for generations. For many businesses, the danger isn't their main telephone system. It's the copper lines they've forgotten about. Even businesses that converted their phones to VoIP years ago may still have traditional analog lines supporting:
Fire and burglar alarm panels
Elevator emergency phones
Fax machines
Door and gate systems
Emergency and backup phones
SCADA and remote monitoring equipment
Modems and other dial-up devices
A Replacement "Phone Line" May Not Be the Same
When copper service is retired, the replacement may use fiber, cellular, fixed wireless or Internet-based technology. While these services can provide an ordinary-looking telephone jack, they may not duplicate all the characteristics of a traditional copper line. Older alarm panels, elevator phones, modems and industrial equipment can present compatibility problems.
There is also the issue of power. Traditional copper lines could often continue operating during a commercial power outage because they received power from the telephone company's central office. Many replacement technologies require power at your location and may need properly designed battery backup.
Don't Wait Until the Line Stops Working
Copper retirement is no longer something businesses can treat as a future problem. It is happening now. Once your carrier announces that service in your area is being discontinued, your options—and the time available to evaluate them—may be limited. Businesses should identify their remaining copper lines now, determine what equipment depends on them, and develop a migration plan before receiving a carrier discontinuance notice.
Does Your Business Still Depend on Copper Lines?
If you're not sure, now is the time to find out. Contact Link Business Communications. We can help identify your remaining legacy lines, determine what equipment depends on them, and develop an appropriate migration strategy before your telephone company makes the decision for you.
Link Business Communications
Prepare now. Don't wait for the dial tone to disappear.
