The Copper Sunset: What Ohio Businesses Need to Know About Their Outdated Telephone Systems

Ohio businesses still relying on traditional POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) lines face rising costs, reliability issues, and mandatory migrations as copper networks are retired. Here’s how to prepare and protect your operations. 

Why Copper Lines Are Disappearing

Nationwide, telecom carriers like AT&T, Verizon, and CenturyLink are rapidly retiring copper-based networks. With FCC approval, they’re phasing out this aging infrastructure in favor of fiber and digital solutions. That means Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) lines—used for phones, alarms, elevators, and fax machines—are becoming more expensive and harder to maintain.

The Pain Points for Businesses

1. Rising Costs– Many carriers now charge premium rates to discourage copper usage.

2. Service Disruptions– Sudden cutovers can cause downtime if businesses aren’t prepared. 

3. Compliance & Safety Risks– Fire alarms, elevator phones, and security systems often still rely on POTS.

What This Means for Ohio Businesses

Ohio companies—especially banks, credit unions, manufacturers, and healthcare providers—can’t afford service interruptions. Legacy systems tied to POTS must be updated or migrated to VoIP, wireless LTE, or fiber-based alternatives.

Smart Migration Options 

• VoIP Phone Systems– Lower costs, higher reliability, and future-ready features.
  
• Wireless POTS Replacement Devices– Affordable “plug-and-play” boxes that keep alarms and safety systems connected without copper lines.
  
• Managed Migration Support– Partnering with a local IT provider ensures every device, from fax machines to fire panels, transitions smoothly.
  
  

How Cloud Cover Helps

At Cloud Cover, we help Ohio businesses:

• Audit existing copper-dependent systems

• Transition to a better VoIP solution

• Ensure compliance for life safety systems

• Minimize downtime and unexpected costs

The copper sunset isn’t coming—it’s already here.

For Ohio businesses, now is the time to plan your transition. Waiting until your carrier pulls the plug could mean higher costs and bigger headaches.