Time’s Up for Telephone Lines: Why Alarm Dealers Should Be Upgrading Remaining POTS Accounts

If you still have customers with alarm panels communicating over traditional phone lines, it’s time to move them now. The FCC has unanimously approved new measures that make it faster and easier for phone companies to retire copper networks. That means those POTS lines your systems rely on could be discontinued with little warning, leaving your customers unprotected and your company fielding calls you don’t want to get.

The Shift Is Happening

For decades, copper telephone lines were the backbone of alarm communication. But maintaining those aging networks has become costly, and providers are done investing in them. With the FCC reducing the reporting and filing requirements, service providers can now shut down old infrastructure with minimal notice. In short, landline alarm communication is no longer reliable or sustainable.

Why It Matters to You

If a system can’t communicate, it can’t protect. And that’s on us as an industry. Leaving customers on copper means you’re risking:

• Missed or delayed alarm signals
• Failed supervision tests or account restorals
• Code compliance issues, especially for fire systems
• Emergency callbacks when a line fails and monitoring is lost

Every one of those outcomes damages customer trust and increases liability.

The Smart Move: Migrate Now

The solution is straightforward: migrate any remaining accounts to cellular or IP-based communicators. These paths are faster, more reliable, and designed for modern monitoring automation. They also reduce service calls caused by signal failures or line noise, saving time for both your technicians and your customers.

By proactively reaching out and offering an upgrade plan, you position yourself as a trusted partner who’s looking out for your customers’ safety and compliance, not just reacting when something goes wrong.

Take Action

• Identify all accounts still communicating via phone lines
• Prioritize fire and high-risk security systems
• Communicate the “why” clearly — reliability, compliance, and future-proofing
• Offer bundled upgrade pricing or transition incentives to make the move easy

Bottom line: Copper is being retired. The question isn’t if those lines will go down, it’s when. Dealers who act now protect their customers, reduce service headaches, and strengthen their long-term relationships. Don’t wait for the dial tone to go silent.

For more information on the FCC’s actions regarding copper line retirement and the nationwide transition to modern communication networks, visit the official FCC page: