The requirement of a traditional landline for facsimile transmission has evolved significantly. Originally, sending a fax necessitated a direct connection to a telephone network via a physical phone line. This involved converting document data into audio signals transmitted across the phone line to a receiving fax machine that would then reconstruct the document. An example would be sending a contract to a law firm; formerly, this required printing, faxing, and waiting for confirmation of receipt.
The reliance on physical phone lines for faxing impacted business operations for decades. Fax machines were essential for transmitting legal documents, medical records, and financial information. The importance stemmed from the perceived security and reliability of transmitting data over dedicated phone lines. This method predates widespread internet adoption and secure email protocols, making it a cornerstone of document exchange in many industries. The perceived benefit was reliable, legally binding document transfer.