Are POTS lines really going away?
This IS happening worldwide, not just in the US. Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) is, in fact, on its last legs.
Make no mistake, this is having a large and diversified impact on the alarm industry and its long favored mode of communication to central stations which of course is the POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) line. read our prior knowledge base here
It's happening . . . quietly:
- A search run on Google yielded over 6900 results.
- FCC Guide on the IP transition
This initiative began years ago and has slowly progressed to the point where “experiments“ are taking place in select AT&T areas in the South East United States. 'Sun-setting' or retiring of the legacy telephone network is well underway and un-stoppable. It is happening as we speak.
You can read the 2011 FCC TAC (Technological Advisory Council) report concerning the transition and referencing “Stranded Assets,“ which is what the FCC considers alarm communicators to be as well as fax machines and any equipment that contains a dial-up modem or automatic telephone dialer. This was written in 2011, three years ago!
Below is a screenshot from the report, see #6. The rest of it is interesting reading as well.
Fast forward to March 2013:
Analog Circuit Replacement – The Beginning of the End for the PSTN by: Dan Belmont
The big carriers have already started to sunset the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) with reduction of support, increase in costs, and elimination of a replacement. The carriers that have historically made an investment in analog telecommunications are now asking: How can we exit the analog circuit business and when can we eliminate support for this service? Full article here.
Forbes article from May 2013:
FCC Calls For More Feedback On Switch To New, National IP-Based Phone Network; Punts On AT&T Request Full article here.
A statement from the FCC Commissioner concerning the “experiments” that are now upon us: "ON THE IP TRANSITION - I agree with Chairman Wheeler that when it comes to the IP Transition, “now . . . is the time to act.” The transition to IP-based technologies represents the most fundamental and positive change in telecommunications in decades. But our regulations still reflect a 1970s view of technology and competition, preventing consumers and providers alike from realizing the full benefits of IP. For that reason, I welcome Chairman Wheeler’s announcement that the Commission will consider an order at our January meeting addressing the IP Transition.
Two years ago, the FCC’s Technological Advisory Council under Chairman Wheeler’s leadership recommended that we sunset the public switched telephone network in 2018. This would allow carriers to stop investing in the networks of the past and instead concentrate finite resources on the networks of the future. But we cannot take this step nationally without adequate testing and preparation. Accordingly, as I stated in February, the time has come to commence an All-IP Pilot Program to provide us with real-world data from a diverse set of local experiments. I am optimistic that the item we will consider in January will pave the way for such geographic all-IP trials where carriers will be able to transition from TDM to IP in a discrete set of wire centers. I thank Chairman Wheeler for his leadership and look forward to working with him and my colleagues in the coming months to make these trials a reality." FCC page for the above statement here.
January 2014:
Very interesting document that spells out what AT&T wants to accomplish: view here
Summary of the AT&T plan put forth in Jan: "AT&T’s recent FCC filing describing the two trials for all-IP services and removal of TDM contains some interesting perspective and revelatory details on how one of the largest providers of voice and data will firmly move into the all-IP world this decade. The end-of-life of the PSTN is very soon and the cloud can play an important role in the transition for many service providers.
These trials will take place in two wire centers (out of 4,700 across the country) in former BellSouth territory. The proposed trials “seek a complete migration of all customers (or as many as possible) to IP-based services.” These trials are a learning process and are in service of the ultimate goal is to complete the IP Transition by the end of 2020 and sunset the PSTN."
In the filing AT&T states the obvious motivation:
“In short, the IP-transition is well past the tipping point, and at some point in the not-too-distant future it will no longer be possible to maintain traditional TDM-based telephone networks and services. The demand won’t be there, the economics won’t support it, and the parts and labor to keep these networks going will not be available.”
The most shocking revelation in the filing: AT&T admitted to finding spare parts for its legacy network on eBay. This is due to fact that the equipment vendors have stopped making or supporting that gear. The TDM network cannot be maintained for much longer as the equipment and expertise is vanishing. The many hundreds of traditional telcos in the U.S face this same reality. Read more here.
February 2014:
Former US Rep. Boucher (VA): Govt. Should Set Sunset Date for PSTN - Says switch to IP should be mandated by end of decade 2/03/2014 02:20:00 PM Eastern Read more here
March 2014:
Prepare to Hang Up the Phone, Forever - Telecom Providers Want an End to the Landline
Wall Street Journal Article by Jennifer Waters
The FCC has written an IP Transition Guide for consumers. Among the paragraphs is this:
Consumer Feedback on the IP Transition - The FCC’s goal is to learn about the impact of the technology transitions on the customers – and communities – that rely on communications networks. To develop a better understanding of the technological transition from the consumer’s perspective, the FCC is in the midst of reforming our consumer complaint and inquiry processes to allow for greater collaboration with state, local, and tribal governments and leaders.
Until these reforms are complete, you can file your complaint using an FCC online complaint form, The guide can be viewed here.
Today - what all this means:
The FCC and carriers do not quite know all the implications of allowing the PSTN to come to an end. Its replacements will be a mix of various technologies including IP, VoIP and cellular. End Users that have fire alarm systems and depend on fast communication of life safety alarms to a dispatch center will be on their own in figuring out the alternatives. Make no mistake though, POTS lines’ days are numbered.
High security IDS systems owners will also be on their own in determining the best path forward and which technology will best suite their particular needs in replacing POTS lines that report into central stations.
In some cases 'fiber provided' or 'facilities based' dial tone will replace the old PSTN and no adverse effects will be felt. In other cases, the alternatives that are being offered are not compatible with telephone dialers in alarm systems. “VoIP” is hit and miss and “Fixed Cellular” service is not an option for alarm communicators. These sites will need to upgrade to IP and or cellular alarm communicators and they should address the issue sooner rather than later.
Bosch Security Systems offers the most comprehensive and feature rich line of alarm communications products available anywhere. Bosch Alarm Communications solutions are suited for most any application and configuration. Don't wait until the last minute.
Contact us today to discuss your options and review all the Bosch solutions to this fast-approaching issue.
