Back in 2019, the FCC dropped Order 19-72A1, giving telecom companies the green light to loosen up on maintaining those old POTS lines. Fast forward to 2025, and the phase-out is in full swing. Major players like AT&T and Verizon are hiking POTS rates and nudging businesses toward digital alternatives.
Why? Maintaining copper infrastructure is expensive—think aging wires, storm damage repairs, and a shrinking pool of technicians who even know how to fix them.
Industry reports from 2024, like the FCC’s own analysis, peg POTS maintenance fees as soaring, with some businesses seeing hourly repair costs climb to $100-$150. Meanwhile, VoIP is riding the wave of modern tech, leveraging your existing internet to deliver calls at a fraction of the cost.
Breaking Down the Dollars: POTS vs. VoIP
Alright, let’s get to the juicy part: the money. Picture this—you’re running a 100-room hotel with 20 POTS lines. Here’s how the costs stack up based on 2024 industry data:
| Service | POTS Costs | VoIP Costs |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Fee | $40-$60/line = $800-$1,200/mo | $15-$35/user = $300-$700/mo |
| Long Distance | $0.05-$0.10/min | Unlimited domestic calls |
| Maintenance | $100-$150/hr, ~$500/mo | Included in IT support |
| Hardware | $1,000-$5,000+ for upgrades | Minimal (uses internet) |
| Total Monthly | ~$1,700 (with maintenance) | ~$400 (all-in) |
For your hotel, that’s a monthly bill of about $1,700 with POTS, including maintenance surprises. Switch to VoIP, and you’re looking at $400—tops. That’s a savings of $1,300 every month, or roughly $15,000 a year! And that’s not even counting the long-distance charges you’re dodging with VoIP’s unlimited calling.
The FCC’s 2023 report backs this up, estimating businesses can shave 40-60% off their telecom bills by ditching POTS. For a hotel, where every dollar counts toward keeping rooms full and guests happy, that’s cash you can redirect to marketing, staff bonuses, or a lobby refresh.
Why Hotels Are Prime for This Switch
Hotels like yours are uniquely positioned to cash in on VoIP. Think about it—POTS lines are static. Need an extra line for a busy season?
You’re waiting on a technician and shelling out for installation. VoIP scales effortlessly; add users through software, no rewiring required. Plus, VoIP bundles features POTS can only dream of—call routing to shuttle guests to the right department, voicemail-to-email for staff on the go, and interactive voice response (IVR) to handle routine inquiries.
Oh, and it integrates with your property management system (PMS), syncing guest calls with check-ins and billing.
The Savings Potential: A Closer Look
Let’s zoom in on that $15,000 annual savings for your 100-room hotel.
That’s conservative. If your property’s in a high-call-volume area—say, near a convention center—POTS long-distance fees could push your old bill even higher. VoIP wipes those out. Maintenance is another wild card; one storm knocking out a line could cost you $150 an hour to fix with POTS, while VoIP’s minimal hardware needs mean fewer headaches.
The FCC’s data suggests some businesses see savings closer to 60% when factoring in these variables. For a hotel chain with multiple locations, multiply that $15,000 by each property. Suddenly, you’re talking real profit, not just pocket change.
What’s the Catch?
Now, I know what you’re thinking—sounds great, but what’s the hitch? Switching to VoIP does come with a few considerations. You’ll need reliable internet (at least 5Mbps for every 100 users), and you might want to prioritize voice traffic with Quality of Service (QoS) settings to keep calls crystal clear.
There’s also a one-time setup cost—think $500-$2,000 for equipment like VoIP phones or adapters. But compare that to the $1,000-$5,000+ you’d spend upgrading POTS hardware, and it’s a drop in the bucket. Most hotels already have solid internet for guest Wi-Fi, so you’re halfway there. The real question is: can you afford not to switch when POTS costs are only going up?
How JetHotelSolutions Can Boost Your Bottom Line
Here’s where I come in.
At JetHotelSolutions.com, we specialize in making this transition a no-brainer for hotel owners like you. We’ll assess your current setup, design a VoIP system that fits your budget, and handle the switch so you’re not sweating the tech details. Our solutions integrate with your PMS, bundle all those fancy features, and keep your costs low—starting at just $15 per user per month. We’ve helped hotels across the US turn telecom expenses into profit centers, and we’re ready to do the same for you.
Ready to Cash In?
Imagine slashing your phone bill by $15,000 a year—or more—while giving your guests and staff a better experience. That’s not just savings; that’s money to grow your business. With JetHotelSolutions.com, you’re not just replacing POTS—you’re upgrading to a system that works harder for your profits. Ready to make the leap? Hit us up today, and let’s get those savings rolling. Your bottom line will thank you.