Copper POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) lines are being phased out globally—and the clock is officially ticking. Major carriers like A&T and other incumbent Providers have made it clear: legacy copper landlines are no longer a long-term option.
A recent article from Communications Today states that AT&T recently won Federal Communications Commission approval to begin retiring more than 30% of its copper footprint, impacting tens of thousands of customers across 18 states — and signaling that the era of copper is truly ending. For customers still relying on POTS for critical services—alarms, elevators, fire panels, fax, POS, and analog voice—there is no “wait and see” option left.
Many of your clients likely still have POTS in place; whether it’s something they’ve considered or not. And when those lines fail or are disconnected, someone will be having the conversation with them about what’s next. The question is whether that person is you or someone else.
This transition creates a clear, immediate reason to re-engage:
- Identify clients with legacy POTS or analog lines
- Proactively educate them on the phase-out
- Position modern alternatives (wireless, SIP, Cloud-based voice, POTS replacement solutions)
- Protect their critical infrastructure before a disruption forces a rushed decision
Once you identify clients still relying on POTS, your Sandler Portal helps you take the next step quickly—allowing you to search and compare POTS replacement solutions across hundreds of Providers by requirements, service area, and compliance needs. This includes solutions from Providers like Ooma, Granite, MetTel, and Fusion Connect, offering purpose-built POTS replacement options helping organizations maintain compliance while continuing to support critical systems. In just a few clicks, the Sandler Portal allows you to generate branded comparisons and move the conversation from risk awareness to a clear, actionable recommendation—before an outage or disconnect forces a rushed decision. And if you want to talk through options or strategy, your Channel Director or Sales Engineering team is there to help you think through the right approach for each customer.
This is one of those rare moments where the need is obvious, unavoidable, and time sensitive. Make sure you’re the trusted technology expert your customers call first. Have an opportunity that you need assistance with? Reach out to your dedicated Channel Manager or Sales Engineer.