But while phone calls may be going fiber or wireless, there’s a bigger story here: your alarm system might be next.
With copper networks disappearing and regulators stepping aside, businesses relying on traditional phone-line-based alarms are suddenly facing a critical security gap. And what’s worse? It’s forcing businesses to modernize faster than they were anticipating and spend money on a newer alarm system.
Why telecoms are pulling the plug on copper POTS lines
For over a century, Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) lines – those copper-based analog phone lines – served as the backbone of voice communication and security system connectivity. But today, telecom providers are rapidly retiring these networks. Why? Because they’re expensive to maintain, limited in functionality, and incompatible with the demands of modern communication.
Copper networks are deteriorating, and repairing or replacing them is no longer cost-effective. Telecom companies must invest in fiber and wireless infrastructure to meet modern connectivity needs, and maintaining legacy copper lines diverts valuable resources. As a result, businesses are seeing the cost of POTS lines skyrocket – sometimes over $1,000 per month for a single line.
In many countries, including the U.S. and Canada, regulators have removed the requirement for telecoms to maintain and service traditional copper lines. This has given carriers like AT&T, Verizon, Bell Canada, and TELUS the green light to sunset these networks and push for full transitions to IP-based or wireless alternatives.
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As copper POTS lines disappear, traditional theft and intrusion alarm systems are among the hardest hit. These systems were designed to dial out over analog phone lines to a central monitoring station when a break-in occurred. Without that connection, they can’t do their job and your business is left vulnerable.
If your alarm system still relies on a POTS line, a burglary at your location may go undetected by your monitoring provider. Even if the local alarm sounds, no one is notified. Law enforcement won’t be dispatched. In the eyes of the system, the call for help was never made.
Cost considerations for replacing copper POTS lines
Replacing your copper POTS line isn’t just a technical decision – it’s a strategic investment in the future of your security infrastructure. But before making the switch, it’s important to understand all the cost-related factors that can influence your transition.
Infrastructure assessment Start with a full audit of what systems currently rely on POTS lines. This could include alarm panels, elevator phones, fire systems, point-of-sale terminals, and more. The cost of replacement will vary depending on how integrated and widespread those connections are. Overlooking one component can result in unexpected downtime or compliance issues.
Hardware compatibility Not all legacy systems can be adapted to modern networks. Some alarm panels may require a full replacement, while others can be upgraded or retrofitted. The more flexible your provider, the more likely you can reuse existing infrastructure, saving time and budget.
Installation and service downtime Replacing POTS-based systems often involves physical installation, rewiring, or reconfiguration. If not properly planned, this can lead to operational disruptions. Budget not just for the equipment and service, but also for technician time, after-hours work, and potential downtime during the switch.
Opportunity Cost of Doing Nothing Finally, the biggest hidden cost might be inaction. As telecoms decommission copper lines, delays can leave you with unmonitored alarm systems, rising maintenance bills, or last-minute emergency retrofits that cost more and deliver less.
Cost-efficient replacement to copper POTS lines
With copper POTS lines being phased out, the traditional backbone of alarm systems is disappearing. But instead of scrambling for workarounds or costly retrofits, there’s a better path forward. One that takes advantage of hardware you’ve already paid for: your security cameras.
That’s right. Your cameras are more than dumb recording boxes. They are intelligent motion sensors that don’t just replace what POTS lines used to do, they completely reinvent what security can be.Â
They become video alarms, leading to the cameras being used as sensors to produce video for you in real-time when something is happening within your place of business.
No phone line required, just smarter technology
Video alarm systems bypass the outdated need for analog phone connections. They use secure internet or cellular networks to transmit real-time video alerts, giving you faster and more reliable communication than any copper line ever could.
Replace the call with visual confirmation
POTS-based alarms made a call. Video alarms send evidence. When a threat is detected, a short clip is delivered instantly to you or your monitoring center, enabling immediate verification and faster response, without the ambiguity or delay of a phone-line relay.
Video alarms are built for today’s infrastructure
Unlike legacy alarm panels that rely on fragile wiring and analog lines, video alarms are cloud-connected, device-agnostic, and highly scalable. They can operate over existing IP networks, cellular data, or Wi-Fi and are perfect for multi-site operations or remote locations.
An easier upgrade, with a bigger payoff
Switching to video alarms doesn’t require ripping out your entire security system. Platforms like Solinkleverage your existing cameras to add alarm functionality, turning what used to be a passive recording system into a real-time threat detection and verification tool.
Helping out law enforcement and removing hefty false alarm fines
One of the biggest weaknesses of traditional POTS-based alarm systems is their inability to confirm whether a real threat is occurring. Without validation, every motion sensor trip or door contact becomes an emergency call, and law enforcement treats it as such, until proven otherwise.Â
The result?Â
Over 90% of alarms turn out to be false, leading to frustrated officers, delayed responses, and steep fines for businesses. Some police departments now use alarm validation scoring to prioritize which calls to respond to. Systems that provide video evidence or other real-time validation receive higher scores and with it, faster response times. Legacy POTS systems offer no such credibility, and are often deprioritized or ignored altogether.
Future-proof your alarm systems in a post-POTS world
Discover how to replace outdated copper lines with modern solutions for better security
Upgrading your alarm system in the face of the POTS shutdown might sound complicated—but with Solink, it’s not. Instead of ripping out existing hardware or investing in entirely new infrastructure, Solink helps businesses make a smooth, cost-effective transition to smarter, video-based security. No disruptions. No overhauls. Just better protection.
Easy installation and fast deployment of the service
Centralized monitoring across all your locations
Solink’s customer success team specializes in helping businesses secure high-risk environments, whether that’s retail, QSR, healthcare, or logistics. We can help you migrate over to a video alarms system, ensure everything works as expected, and provide ongoing support to keep your operations protected.
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