Plain old telephone service relies on circuit-switched analog technology running over twisted pair copper lines from a central office to a subscriber. It provides basic voice-grade audio, dial tone, ringing voltage, and rotary or touch-tone signaling. While highly reliable and self-powered during grid outages, it is being rapidly decommissioned in favor of digital and optical networks.
We need to keep one POTS line active in the building just for the fire alarm panel.
Also heard as
- plain old telephone service
Do not mix it up with
- PSTN: PSTN is the entire global public network infrastructure, while POTS specifically refers to the basic analog service delivered over copper lines.
Related terms
PSTN
The global infrastructure of circuit-switched telephone networks operated by national and regional carriers.
Local loop
The physical wiring connecting a customer premises to the nearest telephone exchange.
ISDN
Integrated Services Digital Network is an older standard for transmitting digital voice and data over standard telephone lines.