Traditional POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) lines have supported critical business systems for decades—from fire and security alarms to elevators, fax machines, point-of-sale systems, and other essential equipment. But as carriers continue to raise rates and retire legacy copper infrastructure, businesses are facing growing pressure to migrate these services.
For organizations with multiple locations, numerous lines, or limited documentation about what those lines support, POTS migration can feel overwhelming. Which lines are still in use? What equipment do they support? What should replace them? And how do you manage the transition without disrupting critical business systems?
NHC is here to help simplify the process. We sat down with Paul Olenik, SVP of Customer Experience & Service Delivery at NHC, to get his perspective on what’s happening with POTS today, what customers should expect during a migration, and how NHC helps manage the process from assessment through activation and ongoing support.
Why Is POTS Migration Becoming More Urgent?
Q: What are you seeing with POTS today, and why is it becoming increasingly important for customers to start planning their migration?
Paul: We’re seeing ongoing pressure from carriers in two key ways. First, many providers are implementing rate increases quarter after quarter, making traditional POTS lines significantly more expensive to maintain. Second, carriers are issuing discontinuance notices and gradually removing support wire center by wire center.
In many cases, customers are being forced to migrate, either because of rising costs or the complete retirement of service. That’s why taking a proactive approach is the best strategy. It gives customers more time to evaluate their options and migrate on their own timeline rather than reacting to a carrier-driven deadline.
The First Step: Understanding What Your POTS Lines Support
Q: When customers first hear they need to replace their POTS lines, what are they typically most concerned about?
Paul: One of the biggest challenges is simply understanding what the existing lines are being used for. Many of these circuits have been in service for years, sometimes even decades, and their original purpose isn’t always well documented.
Before a migration can begin, customers often need to identify where the lines terminate, what equipment they support, and whether they’re still necessary. Determining the current use of each line is usually the first and most important step in the process.
What Does a POTS Migration With NHC Look Like?
Q: Walk me through a typical POTS migration with NHC. What does the process look like from assessment through activation and ongoing support?
Paul: It starts when we receive a notification from the underlying provider that lines need to be migrated. We then work with the customer to understand what those lines support and recommend the best replacement option. Typically, we offer three choices: wireless POTS, cable POTS where available, or our SIP POTS solution.
Once the replacement strategy is selected, we coordinate the installation and activation process. That usually involves delivering equipment, establishing cross-connections, and porting numbers if required. While the specific implementation details vary by solution, the overall process is straightforward and consistent.
An added benefit is that all three replacement options generally cost about half of what customers are paying for a traditional POTS line today, creating meaningful savings while modernizing their infrastructure.
Simplifying Complex, Multi-Location Migrations
Q: For organizations with multiple locations, diverse use cases, or a large number of lines, what makes working with NHC easier?
Paul: Experience is a major differentiator. We’ve been managing POTS migrations for years, and we’ve thoroughly vetted the replacement solutions we offer. Beyond the technology itself, we guide customers through the entire process—from assessment to installation and testing.
Our team ensures replacement lines are fully operational before we consider the project complete. We also help manage the disconnect process for legacy services, which reduces the risk of customers being billed for both old and new services at the same time.
That hands-on support helps simplify what can otherwise be a complex migration.
What Makes NHC Different?
Q: What differentiates NHC when it comes to managing POTS migrations?
Paul: Our biggest differentiator is a relentless focus on customer service and the overall customer experience. Many migrations happen under tight timelines, sometimes with only 30 to 60 days’ notice from the carrier. In those situations, responsiveness and execution matter.
We’re able to move quickly, coordinate installations efficiently, and make sure projects are completed correctly the first time. That combination of speed, expertise, and customer-focused support helps partners and customers navigate these migrations with confidence.
One Team to Manage Your POTS Migration
POTS migration doesn’t have to mean managing another complicated technology project on your own. With rates continuing to rise and traditional services being retired, taking a proactive approach gives your organization more time to understand its existing lines, evaluate the right replacement options, and transition critical services on your terms.
NHC brings together multiple POTS replacement options with the experience and support to manage the process from beginning to end. From assessing existing lines and determining the right replacement solution to coordinating installation, testing, activation, and legacy service disconnects, one NHC team helps manage the moving pieces throughout the migration.
It’s not just about replacing a POTS line. It’s about making the transition simpler, helping minimize disruption, and having an experienced team accountable for helping move the migration forward.
Don’t wait for rising costs or a discontinuance notice to determine your timeline. Reach out to the NHC team today to assess your existing POTS lines, explore your replacement options, and get started on your POTS migration.
One Team. One STACK. For You.™