Affordable Alternatives to Landlines: Exploring Cost-Effective Phone Options

No matter where you look, rising prices have taken control of our wallets, causing us to seek cost-effective alternatives. The increase in landline costs is one such price influx affecting businesses and its customers. Unfortunately, there are no signs it’ll slow anytime soon, and businesses operating on these antiquated systems face a tough choice. 

Landline customers have endured drastic price hikes and service decommissions because of incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs) moving away from copper-based plain old telephone services (POTS) and time division multiplexing (TDM). TDM and POTS prices have risen to a point where it’s not feasible for a business to continue using them, and some are dealing with fees of more than $1,000 a month for their landline phone service. Customers have reached the proverbial fork in the road and have a hard decision to make – stick with these outdated and expensive services or switch to another provider. 

Regulatory Changes are the Culprit

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is allowing carriers to adopt market-based pricing for copper services, resulting in significant price increases. Since 1996, carriers have been obligated to adhere to specific copper policies, which the FCC lifted in August 2019 by granting ILECs forbearance. This memorandum removed the price caps and allowed carriers to offer innovative services with flexible pricing.

Despite the Commission establishing a deadline of August 2022 for carriers to replace their analog services with other alternatives, this did not necessarily mean that all POTS lines had to be immediately shut down. Either way, some carriers like AT&T are taking the initiative and discontinuing 700,000 POTS lines every month, which is having a profound impact. The implementation of new regulations implies that landline phone expenses will soon escalate. As carriers move away from POTS today and in the future, the statement “landline costs are rising” may be a significant understatement.

Copper Wires, Customer Misery

As a result of pricing forbearance, carriers can now charge the true cost of landline phone service. Since more companies are moving away from POTS, fewer users are responsible for the costs associated with maintaining, repairing, and supporting copper wire technology. Unfortunately, some POTS subscribers may encounter substantial hikes in their telecom expenditures.

To make matters worse, as landline phone expenses soar, there is also a decrease in support for this technology. Customer service representatives and technicians who possess knowledge of copper wire are moving towards other technologies, and there is a scarcity of replacement parts and equipment. As a result, some users may face long wait times for phone support and have difficulty scheduling service appointments, which can sometimes take days or weeks, something no business can afford. 

These challenges are slowly becoming the reality, and it could make you wonder – what are some alternatives other businesses are using to replace their landline phones?

Landline Alternatives: Bypass Soaring Costs by Flying Into the Cloud

More and more businesses are opting for cloud-based communication services instead of traditional landline phone services. The majority of these companies are exploring Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS), or Contact Center as a Service (CCaaS) as potential options.

VoIP

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a phone service provided by a third-party that enables users to make phone calls using the Internet, eliminating the need for conventional phone lines.

UCaaS 

Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) is a cloud-based communication solution that consolidates a range of tools into a unified platform, such as voice, video, messaging, and collaboration features.

CCaaS

Contact Center as a Service (CCaaS) is a cloud-based customer support solution. It streamlines contact center operations with sophisticated reporting and advanced features. 

Advantages of the Cloud

Cloud-based communication solutions, such as VoIP, UCaaS, and CCaaS, offer a number of advantages, including the following:

• Cost Savings: With the price of just about everything soaring, one of the most significant advantages of a cloud-based solution is the money your business can save. Cloud-based communication solutions offer lower setup and operational costs than traditional landlines. For example, VoIP enables cost-effective calls through the Internet, which reduces the need for expensive hardware and phone lines. 
• Scalability: Cloud communication systems like UCaaS allow businesses to easily scale up or down based on their current needs and add or remove users and features without any complications. 
• Improved Collaboration: With the rise of hybrid and remote work, businesses have placed emphasis on smart collaboration. Fortunately, UCaaS platforms integrate a variety of communication tools, like voice, video, messaging, file sharing, and more, into a single platform, which facilitates seamless collaboration among staff members, no matter their location. This equates to increased productivity and efficiency. 
• Enhanced Mobility: When your business adopts cloud-based communication services, employees are able to access their work tools from anywhere on their preferred devices. This flexibility allows remote work and supports a modern, mobile workforce. 
• Streamline Customer Support: CCaaS solutions streamline customer support operations and offer features to enhance customer interactions, including smart call routing, merged customer data, and live analytics.
• Easy Integration: Cloud-based communication systems are easily integrated with other business applications, including CRM and ERP software, which enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of various business functions. 
• Business Continuity: Cloud-based communication solutions have built-in redundancy and disaster recovery features that enable companies to sustain communication during unforeseen circumstances or service outages.
• Simple Maintenance: Cloud-based communication solutions alleviate the burden on in-house IT staff by delegating system maintenance, upgrades, and troubleshooting responsibilities to the service provider.
• Enhanced Security: VoIP, UCaaS, and CCaaS providers implement robust security measures, such as encryption and stringent access controls, to safeguard business communications from unauthorized access and potential threats.

VoIP, UCaaS, and CCaaS are cloud-based business communication solutions that provide modern businesses with considerable advantages. These include cost savings, scalability, improved collaboration, advanced features, streamlined customer support, enhanced mobility, easy integration, business continuity, simplified maintenance, and advanced security, making them an attractive alternative to conventional landline phones. If you’ve been considering an alternative option, there is no time like the present to switch.

No Better Time Than Now to Switch

The rising costs and reduced support for copper wire are compelling POTS customers to explore the advantages of cloud-based UCaaS and CCaaS solutions as an alternative to their traditional landline phone service. As a result, switching to cloud communications is becoming a wise business decision for many who will eventually need to replace their landline phones.

Say Bye to Landlines and Hello to Productivity and Cost Savings!

If you’re ready to replace your landline with a cloud-based solution that improves productivity, efficiency, and collaboration while enjoying up to a 55 percent reduction in communications spending, give the Allegiant Persona Connect platform for business communications. Schedule a test drive. Schedule your free VIP demo today!