AMPS cellular service - warning - you need to switch

This should be sent out to all the members

It is less that 3 years away

Situation:

As the alarm industry has evolved, it has embraced wireless communications
as a viable alternative to telephone lines.  A significant number of alarm
dealers, residences and business have come to depend on cellular
communications networks - particularly the original AMPS (analog) cellular
networks-- for alarm communications.  For technical, service, and business
reasons, the FCC has recently established February 8, 2008 as the date for
the planned termination of the cellular carrier's obligation to continue to
provide their existing AMPS cellular service.  The FCC established this
"Sunset Clause" to provide sufficient time for AMPS cellular service
customers to find wireless alternatives before AMPS cellular service can be
discontinued".




Impact on Fire & Life Safety Monitoring:

Cellular carriers are generally motivated to terminate their AMPS cellular
service for cost, service and efficiency reasons compared to the newer
digital cellular networks.  However, there is uncertainty in the cellular
carriers decision to continue to support this outdated technology.  This
will require alarm dealers to plan and implement a new alternative wireless
communications solution in the remaining time before the termination.
After February 8, 2008, there is no guarantee that the AMPS cellular
network will continue to be available or provide a stable service for alarm
communications.

Stephen A. Wolf   

General Manager
Alarm Guard
+++++++++++++++++++++++
 
Ken
General Motors On-Star system uses AMPS. I dont think your going  see
any changes in 2008,  unless they retrofit millions of cars not to mention
GPS systems that also use AMPS.

Whats more likely  to happen is what the FCC did with the standard TV
broadcast signal and the new HD broadcast signal  the broadcasters must
support both signals until  (I dont have that date at hand)

Peter Deck
Nationwide Digital
1-800-882-4675
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ken,

What the writer did not send to you (or say) is that his e-mail to you was
generated on Tuesday because a manufacturer of a closed wireless system in
the UHF frequency range (450-470 megahertz) sent out a promotional e-mail
for their product.

This can be looked upon as the same manner as the little boy effectively
crying wolf trying to get attention or as "Chicken Little" proclaiming that
the sky is falling, again for attention.

As a 23 year owner of a premier contract monitoring service center and just
returning from ISC West and the NBFAA conference, I have spoken with the
major providers of cellular based long range equipment and service
providers.

All of the companies are aware of the "CARRIER'S OBLIGATION" to maintain
this service until at least February 8, 2008.

All of the companies are designing and/or have prototypes of a digitally
based transmitter.

Additionally, there is no guarantee that the cellular carriers will tun of
these analog based systems on February 8, 2008. What the writer fails to
tell you is that there was earlier dates issued by the FCC, which have been
moved back time and time again.

Finally, I would continue to install analog based radios today for two
reasons. First, if I have a client that has a identifiable risk to the
failure of phone line service as a professional I can't ignore the risk and
say nothing. Second, there are analog transmitters for as little as little
as 125.00 dollars and to install it today still allows the customer to use
it for 33 months. That works out to about 4.00 dollars a month. Many of our
customers spend more on almost everything per month than 4.00 dollars.

As to the life of equipment that we install - in today's world of
electronics we should not tell customers that our stuff last forever. We
sell electronics and in many homes that were installed 20 years ago the
only device that may be older is the Honeywell thermostat on the wall. On
the false alarm reduction effort the best thing we could do is declare all
equipment installed more than 10 years ago as DOA and upgrade to today's
technology.

We owe it to our clients!

Bart A. Didden
President
U.S.A. Central Station Alarm Corp.
++++++++++++++++++++

Ken,

At the recent ISC, I talked to the providers of this service and their
comments were that the situation will be reviewed in February 2006 to see
if they will extend another 2 years beyond February 2008. The FCC makes the
call on it. It is reviewed every 2 years.
Thanks
Leigh J. Johnson, CEO
Rochester, MN  55902
+++++++++++++++++++++++++

With all respect to my friend Mr. Deck, Onstar switched to digital service
quite a while ago. The 2008 date is the end date that the FCC has mandated
AMPS must be maintained. This is after an extension that has previously
been granted. If anyone feels that AMPS is not coming to an end in 2008
they are seriously misleading themselves. Affiliated has been following
this issue for years. 2008 is the end of this story not he beginning. The
cellular carriers are highly motivated financially to end AMPS at that
time, and they will, without question.
                                                              

Stanley Oppenheim
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hi Ken. 

Im not sure if you have an e-mail list, but if so, can you add
me to it? I work with Richard Hahn, mainly putting together weekly Member
Updates for NBFAA, and Id like to keep up with the topics you cover (at
the moment, Richard is always forwarding them to me).

Also, I saw a response to the AMPS news mentioning that one of the reasons
it wont go through as planned is because OnStar uses the technology, so
I wanted to share an excerpt from OnStars website (the direct link ishttp://www.ons
ware.jsp&id=5&title=Technology+%26amp%3B+Hardware)

“In November 2002, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ruled
that wireless carriers will no longer be required to support the analog
wireless network as of early 2008. Additionally, wireless carriers in
Canada have elected to follow suit and have also begun the shift from
analog to digital technology. As a result, beginning January 1, 2008,
OnStar service will only be available through dual-mode (analog/digital)
equipment.

From the beginning, OnStar has relied on a nationwide analog wireless
network to provide communication to and from OnStar-equipped vehicles.
Today, the analog network continues to provide the most extensive coverage
across the U.S. and Canada. However, U.S. and Canadian wireless carriers
have begun to shift from analog to digital networks and so will OnStar.

Affected subscribers will be contacted prior to the transition date with
more information.

Best,

Derek Rice

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 Minimum date is 2008, some carriers will support until 2012, no
determination at this time as to who.

Robert Davis

++++++++++++++++++++++

Ken,
Here's the link to General Motors Q&A about AMPS service. It's a great
example of how to communicate the news to our own customers. Thought this
would be helpful to pass along.
http://www.onstar.com/us_english/jsp/explore/onstar_basics/helpful_info.jsp?info-v
iew=tech_equip

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Paul J. Romanelli
President
Suffolk Security Systems Inc