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Glossary · Networking

POTS

Plain Old Telephone Service

In plain language

The traditional copper phone line used for voice calls, now being retired by many carriers.

The metaphor

Like the original landline in the wall that carries voice and little else.

Going deeper

How it works

  • It works without power in the office on some lines.
  • Many alarms, fax machines and elevators still use it.
  • Carriers are phasing it out.
  • Internet phone systems replace it.

What can go wrong (example scenario)

A shop's alarm system dialled out over an old phone line. When the carrier retired the line, the alarm silently stopped reporting for weeks.

In practice
  • An alarm panel calls a monitoring company over a copper line.
  • A fax machine uses it.
  • An elevator phone depends on it.

A question owners ask

What happens when my carrier retires it?

Anything on that line, such as alarms or fax, needs a replacement. Check what uses it before the switch.

Where WILDCARD handles this
Business
Voice
  • Cloud VoIP phone system
  • Lines and numbers managed
  • Setup and support included
Start with Business Voice
Related terms
Microsoft TeamsPBXPrivate Branch ExchangeRTPReal-time Transport ProtocolSRTPSecure Real-Time ProtocolUDPUser Datagram ProtocolVoIPVoice over Internet Protocol

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