440 Maple Avenue East (#201), Vienna, VA 22180
703/242-4670;
fax 703/242-4675
For Release: Immediately
Contact: Celia T. Besore
Director of Marketing & Communications
703-242-4670, Ext. 16
communications@csaaul.org
AMPS CELLULAR SUNSET ON SCHEDULE WITH NO EXTENSION
IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED
Vienna, VA, May 24, 2007 — Despite intense efforts by the Alarm Industry Communications Committee (AICC) and the rest of the alarm industry to seek an extension, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has informally indicated that AICC’s request for a two-year extension of the AMPS Sunset date will NOT be granted. In the absence of an affirmative extension from the FCC, the AMPS Sunset WILL OCCUR as scheduled. The largest cellular carriers (providing service to most of the country) have publicly reported to the FCC that they will shut down their AMPS service shortly after the scheduled February 18, 2008 “Sunset” date. In fact, there have been several reports of AMPS network deterioration. THEREFORE, IMMEDIATE ACTION IS REQUIRED.
IMPACT ON ALARM COMPANIES
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, after February 18, 2008. Please be aware that some dealers are under the misconception that their installed cellular units are "digital" and they are not affected by this sunset issue. UNLESS YOU HAVE SPECIFICALLY INSTALLED GSM CELLULAR RADIOS, YOUR "DIGITAL" UNITS WHICH USE THE CONTROL CHANNEL OF THE ANALOG (AMPS) SERVICE WILL STOP FUNCTIONING.
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The Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA) is a trade association representing providers, users, bureaus, and other agencies of UL-Listed and/or FMRC-Approved Central Station protection services. For more information about CSAA and this project, please visit CSAA’s Web site, www.c saaul.org .
The Alarm Industry Communications Committee (AICC) is a committee composed of representatives of the Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA), National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association (NBFAA), the Security Industry Association (SIA) and major alarm companies and manufacturers. It provides coordination in a variety of areas between the alarm industry and the FCC, other regulatory agencies, and members of Congress, when needed. The committee monitors developments at the federal level affecting the ability of the alarm industry to utilize telecommunications technology in providing protection services to the public.