News
FCC Issues Consumer Advisory on AMPS Sunset
The FCC has issued a consumer advisory regarding the upcoming Feb. 18, 2008, analog cellular sunset. Alarm companies now have a trusted government source to point out for customers who may be confused as to why their alarm system's cellular backup radio needs to be replaced with a digital solution.
In the consumer notification, the FCC groups alarm owners with others who "rely on cellular radio equipment," like those who may have an older version of the OnStar in-vehicle service, in alerting those who might be affected to the fact that cellular telephone companies will no longer be required to provide analog service. Later, in a paragraph directed at alarm owners, the FCC estimates that roughly one million of the 26 million alarm system owners in the United States will be affected.
“In many cases," the warning says, "if you have an analog alarm radio that has not been replaced and the analog wireless network stops operating, the radio will emit a 'beep' or warning tone."
When the analog towers do get shut off, any systems that have not been changed will go into a trouble mode.
Both AT&T and Verizon have stated in public documents that they intend to turn off the analog network essentially as soon as they are able, which means midnight of Feb. 19, 2008, to most observers.
This sunset date is significant for any alarm dealer that utilizes cellular communicators for relaying alarm signals, because after that date, cellular carriers may terminate AMPS service. What this means to the alarm industry is that whatever cellular backup or primary units (both direct analog and control channel versions) an alarm company may had previously installed will no longer work once the cellular carrier shuts down its AMPS system. Some dealers are under the misconception that they are not affected by this sunset issue because their installed cellular units are "digital." Unless dealers have specifically installed Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) cellular radios, the “digital” units which use the control channel of the AMPS service will stop functioning.
Companies can now point customers to the FCC site http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/analogcellphone.html
For more information visit
Press Releases:
|
