The era of traditional phone service, known as POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service), seems to be nearing its end. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is seeking input on how service providers are transitioning to internet-based networks, prompting AT&T to propose a complete shutdown of the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) – the century-old infrastructure behind POTS.

We’re in the 21st century, and modern networks rely on packet switching instead of circuit switching. However, I’m not convinced that it’s time to abandon POTS entirely. My skepticism stems from doubts about the internet’s reliability for voice communication. VoIP services over DSL or cable broadband can be unpredictable: excellent at times, dreadful at others. If you’re content with choppy audio and interrupted conversations, then go ahead and embrace VoIP. But until those issues are resolved, don’t expect me to join you.

The core issue is the ongoing debate about net neutrality. Advocates demand equal access and treatment for all data packets online. This prevents network providers from favoring specific content providers, theoretically safeguarding internet democracy. However, this approach also hinders the implementation of quality-of-service measures that could guarantee optimal performance for different types of data. As a result, while TCP/IP ensures flawless transmission of non-time-sensitive data like text files, time-sensitive voice and video streams may suffer from latency, congestion, and packet loss, degrading signal quality.

On the internet, data packets are sent with no guarantee of consistent delivery. This starkly contrasts with dedicated channels in circuit-switched networks, renowned for their consistent call quality. While this might not be a dealbreaker for everyone, particularly those used to the variable performance of cellular networks, the shift to mobile phones rather than VoIP is the primary driver behind landline abandonment.

Traditional phone companies like AT&T are caught in a difficult position. They are burdened with maintaining expensive analog POTS infrastructure despite a shrinking user base. Raising prices isn’t viable as it could push remaining customers toward cellular or VoIP alternatives.

So, what are businesses doing? Larger businesses are switching to digital systems, but not through the public internet. Businesses using on-site PBX phone systems have options. They can opt for ISDN PRI or T1 PRI, a digital trunking system aggregating up to 23 lines. This technology, though part of the PSTN, doesn’t rely on analog POTS. Alternatively, they can choose SIP trunking, a packet-based technology that, unlike internet-based phone adapters, operates on private networks with guaranteed quality of service. SIP trunking can even combine voice and broadband internet on a single line without compromising quality.

Realistically, the end of POTS might be inevitable, similar to the transition from analog to digital television. A crucial point of contention will be the fate of copper phone lines. While their removal alongside the discontinuation of dial tones will be debated, copper lines are likely to remain for the foreseeable future. They are used for ISDN, T1, and EoC (Ethernet over Copper), which provides mid-bandwidth Ethernet service. The widespread adoption of fiber, copper’s replacement, is still a long way off.