What is POTS?

Telecommunication systems are set along two paths, analog and digital. The most common analog communication uses Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) provided by the phone company. Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) One of the largest and most used networks. Also known as the phone system

POTS is provided by the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). For networking, it can be in two forms:

Dial-up
Leased times

Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) A communication service known as the public telephone system.

Dial-up networking works well for individuals needing remote access to a network. Types of dial-up connections include:

SLIP
CSLIP
PPP
PPTP
PPPoE

Leased lines are permanent dial-up lines dedicated to full-time data transfer use.

Leased lines are often described as direct connections that are not routed through the phone company’s switching system.

Digital connections allow for faster speed to access the networks. There are several options for digital communication:

Digital data service (DDS)
ISDN
T1/T3
Digital Subscriber Line (xDSL)

digital data service (DDS) Communication lines that are dedicated, point-to-point connections. Lines transmit digital data, rather than voice calls. (p. 213)

Digital Subscriber Line (xDSL) A family of digital communications technologies. These services provide high-speed network access over the standard copper wires run into homes and offices by the telephone company.

ISDN is available in two different forms:

Basic Rate Interface (BRI)
Primary Rate Interface (PRI)

Basic Rate Interface (BRI) A form of ISDN that is typical in home use. There are two B (bearer) channels that carry data at the rate of 64 Kbps.
Primary Rate Interface (PRI) A form of ISDN that is generally used to connect a company’s telephone network. The line is divided into many channels.

T1/T3 lines transmit in full duplex, meaning both sides of the transmission can send and receive simultaneously.

To save on the cost of a full T1 line, businesses can opt for a fractional T1. fractional T1 Part rather than all of the T1 bandwidth. A business often leases this type of bandwidth. xDSL provides high speed access over standard copper wires. This range is limited, however, as shown in the table below.