PB knows their equipment is obsolete to the point that they need a redesign.
To the point where it is unreliable on a POTS line I would agree that work is needed. But what else could they provide except a dial-up modem? What else is even needed? Ok maybe provide an ethernet port also but that's going to go over the heads of a lot of people.
Unfortunately dial-up modems are going to be with us for such devices as alarm panels, CC terminals and postage meters. If a company has no POTS lines and one or more of these devices somebody dropped the ball.
-Hal