By: John Shepler

Have you noticed that your copper-based telecom services are becoming more expensive? You might have even received a notice that your service will be discontinued. This is a growing trend as telecommunications companies phase out their old copper wire systems and replace them with newer technology like fiber optics and wireless. It’s time to think about upgrading your service.

A Different Type of Copper Network

The traditional analog copper telephone lines are the ones being phased out. While they were revolutionary over a century ago, they have become outdated. However, there’s another type of copper network that’s still going strong: cable broadband, which uses coaxial copper cable to connect homes and businesses.

Even though it uses copper, cable service is actually very modern. Most of the network uses fiber optic cables, with only the last few hundred feet using the familiar RG-6 coaxial cable. While this might seem outdated, it can deliver very fast internet speeds, up to 10 Gbps, with modern DOCSIS modems.

Cable companies provide TV, internet, and phone services through this cable, offering a cost-effective package for small businesses, particularly those that can utilize the TV service in their waiting rooms.

Fiber Optics: The Modern Standard

Ethernet-based fiber optic service is replacing the older copper-based systems. While the original standard, SONET, is still used in some networks, it has transitioned from carrying phone calls to handling internet data. Newer networks use Ethernet, the standard protocol for most digital networks globally.

Fiber optic has several advantages: it connects directly to routers, offers scalable speeds from 10 Mbps to 10 Gbps (and even up to 100 Gbps in some cities), and is replacing older copper-based data services like DSL and T1. While Ethernet over Copper (EoC) was designed to improve speeds on existing copper lines, it’s being discontinued as those lines are removed.

Business telephone systems are also moving towards Voice over IP (VoIP), which operates on computer networks. This offers modern features and lets computers and phones use the same network.

VoIP systems require a connection to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) for making and receiving external calls. This connection is established using SIP (Session Initiated Protocol), which runs on your network and links to your phone provider through an Ethernet WAN connection over fiber optic cable. Both internet and direct connections can be used. SIP trunks are replacing analog and ISDN PRI trunks for carrying phone calls.

Replacing Traditional Phone Lines

In many situations, switching to fiber optic for private lines and internet access will meet the needs of businesses for voice, video, and data. However, some systems like fax machines, alarms, and certain point-of-sale systems, are designed to work specifically with traditional phone lines and don’t function well on internet-based networks.

For these specific cases, you might consider specialized services that replace traditional phone lines. These typically operate wirelessly through private connections to the LTE cellular network, bypassing the internet entirely. These systems are beneficial because they connect directly to your existing equipment.

Fixed Wireless: A Solution Where Fiber Is Unavailable

While fiber optic networks are expanding rapidly, they are not yet universally accessible. Rural areas, in particular, are still waiting for access. Even in urban areas, connecting to fiber can be expensive if it’s not readily available.

Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) offers a solution by providing high-speed internet without fiber optic cables. It’s similar to cellular broadband but intended for connecting buildings rather than phones. Major cellular providers are now offering 5G Fixed Wireless services to both residential and business customers.

Some companies, known as WISPs (Wireless Internet Service Providers), focus on providing wireless internet to a specific area.

Other FWA providers specialize in high-bandwidth services for businesses, offering speeds up to 10 Gbps. This can include both internet and private line services. The advantage of business FWA is that a small antenna installed on your building can provide reliable service, and installation is typically much faster than installing fiber optic cables.

If you’re facing the loss of services like DSL, T1, ISDN PRI, EoC, or traditional phone lines, now is a good time to consider upgrading and potentially save money. Explore your options for telephone and network replacement.