Extra Space Storage Modernizes Their Network
As local exchange carriers are decommissioning service and raising rates for local telephone service, organizations are feeling pressure to move away from copper / POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) voice infrastructure and support.
Extra Space Storage (NYSE: EXR) felt this pressure and turned the retirement of their copper wire phone lines into an opportunity. By working with MetTel, they not only replaced their POTS lines — they also modernized and digitally transformed their network across more than 2,000 locations. Read the details about Extra Space Storage’s successful copper decommissioning and network modernization in our case study.
In addition to decommissioning local telephone service, there are other compelling reasons to replace decades-old copper telephone infrastructure with digital communications technology.
But why are copper phone lines being phased out, and are copper phone lines going away for good? Because copper phone lines are impractical, most carriers and telephony companies are transitioning away from them. Read on to discover some of the main reasons for POTS lines going away and being replaced with more modern telephony service solutions with more advanced features and cost savings.
1. Aging Infrastructure / Copper Retirement
One of the driving forces behind the shift is the aging infrastructure that prevents copper lines from being reliable. Copper telephone line infrastructure is often outdated and in need of repair or POTS replacement. The deterioration of these lines also leads to service disruptions and poor call quality.
2. Limited Bandwidth
There is limited bandwidth capacity in copper lines, so they likely cannot effectively support high-speed data or advanced communications services. The future of copper telephone lines was settled with the rise of newer technologies like fiber optic cables, which are much faster and offer many benefits copper can’t match.
3. Broadband Internet
Today’s communications technology can facilitate significantly higher speeds and lower latency than copper phone lines, which were not built to deliver high-speed broadband internet.
4. Flexibility & Future-Proofing
It is challenging to upgrade and enhance the capabilities of copper phone lines to meet constantly evolving technological requirements and advancement. These technological limitations are one of the main reasons for copper phone lines going away for good.
5. Energy Efficiency
Compared to copper phone lines, digital communications technologies have lower power requirements and can transmit signals over longer distances without significant signal degradation. This energy efficiency also reduces environmental impact and lowers costs.
6. Reliability & Maintenance
Copper lines are susceptible to damage from environmental factors, such as moisture and corrosion. With copper retirement, organizations can improve service reliability and reduce maintenance costs.
When deciding on what to do for POTS replacement and which company to choose, your IT team will also enjoy cost-saving measures and other benefits when you go with MetTel. These include complete management of your new digital infrastructure, having one portal to manage your network with complete visibility into usage, reporting, and monitoring, and working with only one service provider.
