US analog cell-phone service to end in February

In the UK Analog cell phones were phased out in the last century but it is only now that the USA is finally withdrawing the service.

The US regulator the FCC has issued this statement:

As of February 18, 2008, cellular telephone companies will not be required to provide analog service.

This could affect some customers of alarm monitoring systems. While the majority of alarm systems installed in homes and businesses do not use a wireless radio signal to connect to a central monitoring station, some alarm systems use analog radio equipment and send a wireless signal - provided by a wireless telephone company - using the 800 MHz spectrum.

These systems are affected by the transition. According to the alarm industry, out of a total 26 million installed alarm systems, there are approximately one million systems that use analog radio equipment. Wireless alarm systems installed before Spring 2006 generally used analog equipment.

There are several ways to tell if your alarm system will be affected by the analog-to-digital transition. Most alarm companies are contacting their affected customers by letter, bill insert, and/or telephone to arrange for replacement installation of a digital alarm radio.

In many cases, 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.

If you believe your alarm system relies on an analog wireless radio and you haven't heard from your alarm company, or if you're unsure about what type of alarm system you have, contact the company to determine your options for maintaining service.

For more information, see the FCC's Consumer Advisory on this subject at: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/analogcellphone.html