In the grand jungle of telecommunications, a major transformation is underway, one that even Donkey Kong himself would find challenging. The industry is tossing aside classic Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) lines like old-school barrels. High-tech digital solutions are taking their place. This shift brings rising costs, tricky obstacles, and serious strategy from the industry’s biggest players.

Regulatory Barrels Are Knocking Down POTS

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has thrown down a game-changing mandate, like a boss fight at the end of a level. According to Retarus Global, the FCC ordered the decommissioning of POTS lines by the end of 2022, officially signaling the end of the analog era. Meanwhile, FCC Order 19-72A1 further loosened the rules for carriers, allowing them to drop POTS services without offering discounted rates that had previously kept costs lower. As a result, the old system has lost its power-ups, making the climb to digital solutions even more crucial.

The Price Spike Jungle: Climbing Costs and Fading Vines

With the phase-out in full swing, prices for POTS services have skyrocketed like a minecart out of control. MetTel reports that some users have seen costs jump over 500% as providers retire copper lines. Hanging onto the past is nearly impossible. Even big players like Verizon have started removing business POTS services as of June 2023. Similarly, AT&T has announced removing 25% of copper lines from their data centers while increasing their copper lines upwards of 1000%. In this jungle, the vines of tradition are disappearing. Companies must leap to digital platforms or risk falling into a costly pit.

Grabbing the Digital Power-Up: Cloud and Beyond

Facing these rolling obstacles, companies aren’t sitting idle like a frozen Donkey Kong. Instead, they’re grabbing digital power-ups. Converged Technology Professionals reports that businesses are swinging toward cloud-based communication solutions. These solutions offer not only better cost-efficiency, but also greater scalability, and flexibility than the old-school landline approach. The transition is more than just avoiding price spikes. Ultimately, it’s about evolving into a smarter, faster telecommunications ecosystem.

Game Over for POTS: Time to Level Up

The decline of POTS lines is more than just a phase. Rather, it’s a full-blown level transition in the telecom game. As the FCC pushes forward and costs skyrocket, companies and agencies must move fast to avoid getting stuck in the past. Like Donkey Kong needs to time his jumps perfectly, the telecommunications industry must strategize wisely to ensure a smooth transition to the next generation of digital connectivity.
The industry has rolled the barrels, and now it’s time to jump to the future.

Pick Your Power-Up: The Smartest Routes Off POTS

If you’re tired of just tossing quarters at the arcade machine, listen up. After all, there’s a whole jungle of options out there. Depending on how you’re spinning your POTS, it can feel like a maze of vines, especially if you’re looking tech you’ll want to swing on for the next 50 years. Here’s what’s on the map if you’re playing in the digital jungle or on the ground:

1. VoIP Barrels: Swap that old line for internet-powered chatter. It’s like finding hidden bonus levels with extra features to save your banana stash.
2. Unified Tools Power-Up: Combine your gadgets and gizmos for seamless communication, whether chat, video, or secret codes, perfect for swinging through both virtual and live levels.
3. Cloud Climbing: Forget the heavy console; jump to cloud-based systems that offer cool tricks like auto-catch call routing and instant replay soundtracks.
4. Wireless Vines: For events, move with mobile vibes like LTE and 5G—a power-up load of connectivity without the cords.
5. Hybrid Jungle Paths: Keep those classic vines while also adding digital tech flair for an unstoppable combo.
6. Event Banter Platforms: Platforms like Zoom and Teams let you keep the convo alive, whether you’re in the treehouse or on the main stage.
7. Level-Up Event Platforms: Tools like Cvent let you conquer the event-level challenges, from the start to the final boss.

When swinging through these options, be sure to consider what fits your adventure best. Happy swinging!

Ready to Level Up?

Join our exclusive virtual event to learn how MetTel’s future-proof digital solutions can replace your outdated POTS lines. Save the date: April 22, 2025, 12:00 PM–2:00 PM PST.