- AT&T Business Voice enables businesses to modernize their analog systems by transitioning to an IP-based system while retaining their existing phone number and equipment.
- The VoIP system is non-disruptive as it supports a wide range of business lines, including fax machines, fire alarms, security systems, elevator phones, and public safety phones.
- AT&T’s new service reflects move to enhance its next-gen Business Wireline revenues amidst ongoing declines of TDM-based services.
- The service also plays into AT&T’s initiative to retire its copper wiring lines by the year 2029.
AT&T’s launch of its VoIP AT&T Business Voice solution reflects the need for businesses to modernize their voice service lines from traditional copper, while maintaining uptime and reliability.
As an all-in-one solution, AT&T Business Voice consolidates analog voice and utility lines.
AT&T said Business Voice will accelerate the transition from copper-based services, a significant initiative for the company.
The new service, which comes at a time when AT&T is seeking ways to boost business service revenues that have declined due to legacy service reductions, offers several new features for business customers, including 24/7 remote monitoring, a built-in battery, optional wireless backup, and advanced spam-blocking capabilities.
Melissa Arnoldi, executive vice president and general manager, AT&T Business, said “Business Voice is more than just an updated phone system,” but rather a “comprehensive solution that empowers small and medium-sized businesses to modernize their operations while maintaining reliability and security.”
Easing the IP transition
The introduction of AT&T Business Voice is part of a broader effort by AT&T to address the transition of business customers away from legacy TDM-based services, while not stranding existing equipment and other services that businesses use every day.
AT&T Business Voice offers a future-ready alternative by converting analog signals to Internet Protocol (IP) and has been approved by the FCC as a replacement product for businesses that have used traditional copper-based landlines
The service also allows business customers to retain their existing phone number and handset equipment, with support for essential lines such as fax machines, fire alarm panels, security alarms, elevator phones, and public safety phones.
Additionally, AT&T Business Voice is compatible with all types of transport and enables businesses to select between shared or dedicated internet connections, tailored to meet their specific needs.
Earlier this year, the FCC approved a version of AT&T Business Voice, previously known as AT&T Phone for Business – Advanced. AT&T Phone for Business – Advanced is a cloud-based solution that converts traditional analog landline signals to Internet Protocol (IP), delivering Voice over IP (VoIP) internet connections.
The AT&T Business Voice service leverages cloud capabilities from RingCentral and analog-to-digital converters from DataRemote. It can also use the AT&T wireless network if needed.
AT&T’s move is also about enhancing next-gen service revenues inside its Business Wireline segment.
Like the efforts AT&T has made in the consumer segment, AT&T is aiming to increase revenues from its newer IP-based services in the Wireline Business segment.
During the first quarter, AT&T Business Wireline revenues declined approximately 9% year-over-year, primarily due to continued pressure on legacy and other transitional services, which decreased by 17.4%. However, the decline was partially offset by growth in fiber and advanced connectivity services, which grew 4.5%.
Pascal Desroches, CFO and EVP of AT&T, told investors during its first quarter earnings call that the declines were “partially offset by growth in fiber and advanced connectivity services, which grew 4.5%” and that nearly “one-third of these revenues are from value-added services, which are variable every quarter.”
Two-part copper retirement plan
AT&T’s new IP-based service transitions for business customers also indicate the service provider’s ongoing move to retire its copper network.
The company plans to retire its legacy copper landline network by the end of 2029, with a two-phased approach.
In areas where fiber is not being deployed, AT&T will transition customers to AT&T Phone Advanced, fixed wireless, or satellite services during the first phase. The second phase will concentrate on areas with fiber deployment, moving customers to fiber-based services.
AT&T said this transition is driven by the high cost of maintaining the copper network and the desire to offer faster, more reliable services to customers.
John Stankey, CEO of AT&T, told investors during the company's fourth quarter earnings call that it initially plans to retire copper in 1,300 central offices.
In December 2024, the company received approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to begin the process of discontinuing legacy voice services at these facilities.
“This was an important first step to establish a template that supports a deliberate and planned transition to a more capable and modern communications infrastructure,” he said.
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About the Author
Sean Buckley
Sean is responsible for establishing and executing the editorial strategies of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report across their websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products.