FCC POTS Retirement Project Case Study

Challenge

A Fortune 500 natural and organic supermarket chain faced soaring POTS line costs (up to 5x the original rates), carriers refusing repairs, unplanned cancellations leaving stores without vital lines, and loss of thousands in perishables due to refrigeration failures.

Solution

Morrison Telecom leveraged 120+ years of combined telecom experience to coordinate installations with minimal downtime, create new cable pathways utilizing existing infrastructure, and modernize outdated fire alarm systems.

Results

Successfully disconnected POTS at all 600 locations, delivering approximately $150,000 in monthly savings ($1.8 million annually) while ensuring compliance with FCC mandates and providing stable communications infrastructure.

The Challenge

Our client, a Fortune 500 natural and organic supermarket chain with over 600 locations nationwide, faced significant challenges with their Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) lines:

Soaring costs - POTS line costs increased up to 5 times the original rates
Lack of support - Carriers were refusing repairs due to outdated technology
Unplanned cancellations - Stores were left without vital lines for fire alarms, elevators, and refrigeration systems
Inventory losses - Thousands of dollars in perishable goods were lost due to refrigeration failures with no alert system

With the FCC mandate to retire copper-based POTS lines, the client needed a partner who could manage the complex transition across hundreds of locations while minimizing disruption to their operations.

Our Solution

Expert Team

Deployed a team with 120+ years of combined telecom industry experience and deep understanding of vendor processes.

Comprehensive Project Management

Implemented strong project management capabilities to coordinate installations with minimal downtime across 600+ locations.

Centralized CRM System

Established centralized tracking of each POTS line, vendor contacts, and account information for efficient management.

Implementation Approach

When faced with outdated fire alarm panel hardware that couldn't interface with new PIAB devices, Morrison Telecom went beyond the standard scope:

Sourced new agreements on the client's behalf to modernize fire alarm systems
Created new cable pathways to utilize existing infrastructure, dramatically reducing installation time
Established weekly report exports to keep stakeholders informed on status, issues, and progress
Coordinated seamlessly with carriers for service disconnects once new systems were operational

The Results

$150,000 Monthly Savings

Successfully disconnected POTS at all 600 locations, eliminating approximately $150,000 in monthly telecom expenses, resulting in $1.8 million annual savings.

100% Compliance

Achieved full compliance with FCC mandates while maintaining critical communications infrastructure.

Minimal Disruption

Completed installations quickly with minimal impact on store operations and customer experience.

Enhanced Safety Systems

Modernized fire alarm and safety systems, improving reliability and reducing maintenance issues.

FCC POTS Retirement Project