[opendtv] Analog cellular service shutoff
- From: "Manfredi, Albert E" <albert.e.manfredi@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 29 Jan 2008 10:48:51 -0500
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-279722A1.doc
For immediate release: News Media contact:
January 28, 2008 Rosemary Kimball at (202) 418-0511
e-mail: rosemary.kimball@xxxxxxx
REQUIREMENT FOR ANALOG CELLULAR SERVICE EXPIRES IN FEBRUARY
Certain Wireless Handsets, Alarm Systems and OnStar Services Affected
Beginning February 18, 2008, cellular telephone companies will not be
required to provide analog service. While most wireless telephone users
will not be affected by this transition (often called the "analog
cellular sunset"), some users may be affected. In addition, the
transition could affect some alarm systems and some users of OnStar
in-vehicle communications service. (OnStar discontinued offering its
analog service, found in older cars, on December 31, 2007.)
Wireless Telephone Service. The analog cellular sunset will not affect
anyone using a digital-only handset (including subscribers to wireless
service from Sprint/Nextel or T-Mobile).
It might affect those using a handset that can receive analog service
from a cellular telephone company, including AT&T Mobility, Verizon
Wireless, Alltel, US Cellular, and Dobson (and other companies that
market their services as "Cellular One"). Companies must notify their
analog customers prior to discontinuing analog service.
There are several ways to tell if a handset is digital or analog. If it
has advanced features such as text or instant messaging, Internet
browsing, an MP3 player, or an integrated camera, it is digital. If it
uses a SIM card (a small, removable card that can be found under the
phone's battery), it is digital. Some wireless phones display an icon
indicating that they have digital capabilities. Many wireless telephone
companies have helpful information about their analog-to-digital
transition plans on their Web sites.
To determine how roaming service may be affected by the transition,
customers should contact their wireless telephone company directly and
inquire whether any of its roaming partners will discontinue their
analog service after February 18, 2008.
Alarm Systems. The analog cellular sunset may affect services relying
on analog cellular radio equipment, such as alarm systems with wireless
analog radio links. 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, however, 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. Alarm
companies are in the process of contacting their customers to arrange
for replacement installation of a digital alarm radio. Consumers who
believe their alarm system relies on an analog wireless radio and
haven't been contacted by their alarm company, or consumers who are
unsure about what type of alarm system they have, should contact their
alarm company to determine their options for maintaining service.
OnStar. Analog OnStar service was terminated on December 31, 2007.
Information regarding OnStar service and the analog cellular sunset can
be found on the OnStar Web site at
http://www.onstar.com/us_english/jsp/digital_transition.jsp. Vehicles
equipped with analog-only OnStar equipment cannot be upgraded and no
longer receive OnStar service. OnStar subscribers with vehicles
equipped with dual mode (digital and analog) OnStar equipment will
continue to receive service. OnStar subscribers with vehicles equipped
with analog/digital-ready equipped vehicles must be upgraded in order to
receive service. Consumers with questions about their OnStar service
should contact OnStar toll-free at 1-866-579-7726 (have your OnStar
account number or your vehicle identification number available), or
visit OnStar's Web site at https://www.myonstar.com/adt.os.
For more information about this issue or any other
telecommunications-related issues, visit the FCC's Consumer &
Governmental Affairs Bureau Web site at www.fcc.gov/cgb, or contact the
FCC's Consumer Center by e-mailing fccinfo@xxxxxxx; calling
1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) voice or 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322)
TTY; faxing 1-866-418-0232; or writing to:
Federal Communications Commission
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554.
- FCC -
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