The sun is setting on POTS — Plain Old Telephone Service — and the transition is accelerating. Major telecom providers are actively decommissioning copper-based landline infrastructure. While this move toward all-IP networks is long overdue, it’s also causing confusion, hesitation, and some costly mistakes across industries.

If you're still relying on legacy POTS lines — especially for critical communications like elevators, fire panels, alarms, or fax — it's time to rethink your strategy. But first, let’s bust some common myths that could be holding you back.

Myth 1: "I see a phone jack, so everything must still work."

This is perhaps the most dangerous assumption. Yes, the wiring in your building might still be intact — but that doesn’t mean it’s connected to anything on the other side. Carriers are increasingly cutting off the central office switches that power those lines. In some regions, POTS service has already been sunset; in others, it’s actively degrading due to lack of maintenance.

Myth 1: "I see a phone jack, so everything must still work."

Myth 2: "As long as I can make a call, it’s good enough."

You might still be able to dial out, but POTS is about more than just dial tone. For critical systems — like 911 calls, fire alarms, elevator emergency lines, and security systems — reliability, line supervision, and uptime are non-negotiable. Temporary functionality doesn’t equal full service. And relying on it could mean liability risks in regulated environments.

Myth 2: "As long as I can make a call, it’s good enough."

Myth 3: "Replacing POTS means ripping out my entire system."

This is one of the most paralyzing beliefs for facility managers. The good news? You don’t need to replace your analog devices — just how they connect. Devices like the Vola PR08-Pro (8 FXS ports, dual WAN with battery) and PR12 (4G VoIP ATA with built-in battery) are specifically designed to interface directly with legacy analog systems. They support elevators, fire/burglar alarms, fax machines, ATM/POS terminals, and more — without changing end hardware. The result? Seamless transition with modern VoIP infrastructure behind the scenes.

PR12&PR08

Myth 4: "IP and VoIP systems are hard to configure and manage."

That may have been true in the early days of SIP and VoIP deployments, but not anymore. Enter VolaCloud, our cloud-based management platform built specifically for Managed Service Providers and wireless SD-WAN operators. With VolaCloud, you get: ● Batch configuration and firmware updates

● Real-time device monitoring (battery, line status, signal strength)

● Remote diagnostics and troubleshooting

● Secure remote web access

● Zero-touch provisioning for large-scale deployments Even field technicians with minimal training can deploy and manage PR08 or PR12 devices in minutes.

PR12&PR08&VolaCloud

Myth 5: "If the power goes out, I’m out of luck."

Actually, this is where our hardware shines. PR08-Pro and PR12 are both built with internal batteries — meaning they can continue to operate for hours even during power outages. PR08 goes a step further with a USB Type-C port that allows you to connect external power banks for even longer uptime. In mission-critical environments where downtime is not an option — hospitals, banks, elevators, fire systems — power redundancy is not a luxury. It’s a requirement. Combined with Smart Path, our intelligent route failover logic, your devices can automatically switch from WAN to LTE and continue running with zero interruption.

PR12&PR08

So what’s the alternative?

The future of voice communication is all-IP, and the infrastructure to support it is ready. Solutions like PR08-Pro and PR12 are purpose-built to bridge the gap between legacy analog systems and modern IP networks — without complexity. With Volacloud at the center, your device fleet can be monitored, configured, and supported from anywhere. You reduce truck rolls, eliminate manual errors, and gain real-time visibility into every POTS replacement node you manage.

Final Takeaway:

Transitioning from POTS doesn’t have to be painful — but staying behind might be. If you’re still operating under outdated assumptions, now’s the time to reevaluate. Vola makes POTS replacement simple, scalable, and secure. Which myth were you believing? Let’s bust it together.