sundance-communications.com/forum Forums Wiring - Telecom Carriers - Trunks & Services Telecom Service & Providers pots line

I am doing some remodeling and was discussing with friends that I was planning on having some additional cat 3 cable installed for POTS. They didn't know what that was and when I told them they were all wondering why. Most either are using cell for everything, or are planning to. What are you professional guys saying to this subject? What are the advantages to POTS?

Depends on what you're looking for. If you're never going to have DSL, use fax, want multiple phone locations or put in a small home system or home office and the quality of cell service doesn't bother you, than there is no advantage. Also don't forget a lot of the phone companys are getting into the video business so that would, at least for now require a wired connection.

You can't go wrong with Cat 3 as a minimum.

Here in Canada none of the big 4 regional companies (Telus, SaskTel, MTS, Bell) can agree on what Cat should be pulled to each jack location.

Telus and SaskTel suggest 2 Cat 5 to each location.

MTS prefers 1 Cat 3 and suggests pulling an extra Cat 5 at the same time for future data/tv.

Bell only says customer to supply CSA approved wire suitable for the required service.

What Bill said and....

If the area you live in is subject to electrical blackouts then get a POTS line - with a wired (non cordless) phone; it'll always work.

My son has nothing but a cell phone for him he says it's easier. I've got a cell but if I have a choice, I'll always make a call on a wireline phone - I think the quality is better and my hearing is not that great anymore.

Sam

Landlines won't be going away any time soon. True, there is a trend to go 100% cellular, but in areas with difficult reception, frequent commercial power failures or less than stellar Internet service, nothing beats a landline.

One of the primary reasons for people disconnecting their landlines is the fact that the service is so heavily taxed that people decide to go without it.

It is also important to remember that what your preference is might not be the same as a potential buyer of the property in the future. We frequently get hired by realtors to come in to homes they have on the market to install additional jacks to enhance the features. Quite often, a brand-new 3,000 square foot home is constructed with only one or two telephone outlets. Home buyers spend their money on bells and whistles that could have easily been upgraded rather than on things that are very difficult to add later.

Thanks for all the comments. I currently have 2 POTS lines(and by that I mean 2 drops, same phone number. don't have all your lingo down yet.), one with a cordless and one straight landline, primarily due to the fact mentioned by Silversam. One of these drops will end up behind the fridge and I was thinking I would make a junction and pull it to another location before the ceiling drywall goes up. I don't have access to the demarc to pull a wire in a attic or basement because there is no attic, just a 7" air space between the ceiling and roof deck. It is a low slope roof so the only way to pull additional lines will be to go around the outside and punch through a wall, not the best way or look.
Is there a problem making up a joint at the current drop and running CAT 3 to another location? I am wondering if I should do this myself or find a phone guy. I like the idea of what Ed mentioned about future buyers.

1 POTS line = 1 landline = 1 phone number = .

Terminating several drops behind a faceplate would be a last resort. If you do, clearly mark the faceplate as a termination point. The best way would be find the incoming line and put a terminating block in a closet or some other place that has access and run your drops out from that point. You asked should you get a phone guy to do this. I'd say for sure.

Just make sure he has the experience and know-how to accomplish the job! Now, more than ever, folks are attempting to do things they are not qualified for. It's one thing if they're damaging their own place, but entirely different when they are damaging your place! John C.