Published : March 27, 2024Communication plays an integral role in both personal and professional aspects of life in this digital generation. Though contemporary technologies like Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) have gained immense popularity recently, traditional systems such as Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) remain relevant.
The POTS era reached its peak at the beginning of the millennium. In 1999, landline use reached more than 180 million end users. Even after two decades, POTS phones are still recalled when discussing legacy telephone line services such as voice, fax, elevators, and alarm lines.
In this comprehensive guide, we will understand the POTS line and how it differs from VoIP. So let’s get started.
While the POTS line has been reliable for many decades, it is time to upgrade to VoIP for enhanced communication. Choose a VoIP service provider like CallHippo with exceptional customer service and powerful security measures. Take advantage of free trials to test compatibility before committing, and read user reviews to determine the real-world experience.
What is a POTS Line?
A POTS line, or Plain Old Telephone Service line, is a conventional landline telephone system that connects dialers using copper twisted pair wires. In other words, it is an analog voice transmission system that links calls through copper twisted pair wires.
Telephone lines were invented in 1876 by Alexander Graham Bell. They serve as a channel for old equipment such as fire alarms, security panels, and fax machines, delivering an isolated and reliable communication pathway.
Despite the fact that the POTS line continues to operate, the public switched telephone network to the VoIP phone service due to its affordable price.
How Do POTS Lines Work?
The structure of POTS has remained nearly unchanged for a long time.
Despite several changes made to the phone handset, the copper wire in the POTS system has remained identical.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of how a Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) line works:
1. Analog Signal Transmission: As the speaker speaks, the handset’s microphone transcripts sound waves from the caller’s voice into analog electric signals.
2. Local Exchange: The electrical signals generated by the subscriber’s phone are set up for transmission to the main phone company by an aerial cable. After reaching the local exchange, these analog signals are received and processed accordingly.
3. Central Office Switching: The signal is then routed to the central office switching system, where it is automatically decoded and directed to various destinations depending on the dialed number.
4. Long-Distance Calls: For calls outside of the local exchange, the signal can be transmitted through multiple central offices along with long-distance carrier networks before reaching the recipient.
5. Voice Transmission: During this entire procedure, the analog voice signals remain intact, with slight degradation over long distances due to distortion and noise.
6. Final connection: The telephone handset converts electrical signals into sound waves, which allows us to hear the voice on the other end.
Pros and Cons of POTS
Though POTS phone lines may no longer be as popular as they used to be, there are still many advantages and limitations to using a POTS system. Some of the pros and cons of POTS telephone are:
Pros of POTS Line:
1. Trustworthiness: POTS lines are known for their dependability and often can be operated during power outages.
2. Wide Accessibility: POTS infrastructure is well established and widely accessible, especially in rural areas where internet availability may be limited.
3. Clear Sound Quality: Analog signals transmitted through POTS lines usually provide clear audio quality without any lag or distortion sometimes experienced with digital communication methods.
4. Privacy: POTS lines are less susceptible to hacking or cyberattacks compared to digital communication techniques, making them a more secure form of communication.
5. Simple Technology: POTS technology is simple and has been widely used in telecommunications for decades, providing a reliable source of communication.
Cons of POTS Line:
1. Limited Features: POTS lacks many of the advanced features found in digital communication systems, such as caller ID, voicemail, and call forwarding, which are now considered standard in modern communications.
2. Higher Cost: POTS service can be quite expensive, particularly when compared to VoIP alternatives, which often provide cheaper or even free calling plans.
3. Frequency Limits: POTS lines have limited frequency capacity, making them unsuitable for data-intensive applications such as high-speed internet or video conferencing.
4. Dependency: POTS is dependent on physical copper wire infrastructure, which can be damaged by environmental aspects such as weather or accidents, potentially causing service outages.
5. Emergency Call Concerns: If a power outage affects the telephone lines, traditional landline phones may not work, making emergency calls difficult.
POTS vs. VoIP
In the constant battle between analog and integrated services digital network, POTS faces stiff competition from VoIP technology.
Between 2010 and 2018, companies in the United States added approximately 35 million VoIP lines, increasing the country’s total number of VoIP lines to nearly 42 million in eight years.
Here are the key differences between POTS and VoIP:
| Factors | Plain Old Telephonic Service (POTS) | Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) |
|---|---|---|
| Infrastructure | Completely relies on traditional copper lines and analog technology | Uses internet connectivity for transmitting voice data |
| Cost | More expensive due to infrastructure maintenance | It is quite cheap as it uses internet connectivity |
| Call Quality | The quality of phone calls is consistent with minimal risk of disruptions | It may experience quality issues if the connection is weak. |
| Flexibility | The POTS phone system has limited flexibility | Greatly flexible during a stable internet connection |
| Reliability | More reliable during power outages | It can be impacted during internet outages. |
| Security | POTS phone services are more secure | Subject to hacking and cybersecurity threats. |
| Maintenance | Handled by telephone companies | Requires an IT expert for setup and configuration |
| Global Reach | Limited international reach | Offers easier and cheaper global reach. |
| Integration | Minimal compatibility with digital technology | Easily compatible with other digital tools |
What POTS Lines Are Used For?
Despite the rise of digital communication, POTS lines continue to serve a wide variety of functions in residential and commercial environments.
Many legacy devices, such as fire alarms, security panels, and elevator service lines, still communicate using POTS.
Additionally, fax machines, point-of-sale (POS) terminals, and building entry systems often use traditional POTS telephones due to their reliability and compatibility with other technologies.
The Best POTS Alternative: CallHippo
CallHippo stands out as the best alternative to the traditional Plain Old Telephone System (POTS) as it allows organizations to adapt their communication system to their evolving demands.
CallHippo offers a plethora of advanced features that are beyond the capabilities of POTS, such as voicemail-to-email transcription, virtual numbers, call forwarding, and configurable IVR systems. These functions accelerate productivity, simplify communication processes, and empower companies to deliver exceptional customer service.
CallHippo offers a substantial reduction in price compared to POTS, as it eliminates the need for expensive maintenance, hardware updates, and long-distance charges. With CallHippo’s worldwide network, businesses can easily establish a global presence and an extensive network in multiple regions.
Bottom Line
It is pretty easy to see that VoIP dominates when compared with POTS. POTS line do have their advantages, but VoIP simply offers more advantages than POTS.
You can gain access to a ton of advanced features that help you to collaborate and communicate with others easily.
VoIP generally costs less and is quite easy to set up than POTS. Experience the benefits of a modern business phone system with VoIP today.
FAQs
1. Are POTS lines being discontinued?
Telecom companies are terminating POTS services due to outdated technology and monetary inefficiencies. Businesses are shifting to new alternatives, such as VoIP, for better functionality and cost savings in communication systems.
2. What is an example of a POTS line?
A few examples of POTS lines are legacy devices such as
- Landline phones,
- Fire alarms
- Security panels
- Post office telephone service,
- Elevator service line
3. Can POTS phone work on VoIP?
Yes, a POTS phone can work on VoIP systems. While POTS lines communicate using copper wires, VoIP uses the Internet to convert sound waves into digital signals for transmission. The transition from POTS to VoIP enables better capabilities, reduced costs, and greater flexibility in communication systems.
Updated : August 21, 2024
Supriya Bajaj is a senior content developer with immense experience in the VoIP telephony domain. With a deep knowledge of VoIP systems and emerging technologies in the field, she provides insightful and targeted content. Known for simplifying complex topics and her thought-leadership articles, Supriya delivers actionable content for both technical and non-technical audiences.
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