FCC refuses alarm industry attempt to postpone analog sunset date

The Federal Communications Commission affirmed the 2008 analog cellular sunset date, rejecting a request for a two year extension by the alarm industry.
The FCC said the decision five years ago establishing the sunset date “had achieved its goal of facilitating the migration of the deaf and hard of hearing, and users of emergency-only analog cellular handsets, to digital handsets. Moreover, because analog handsets are not available with location capability, continuation of the analog service requirement could adversely impact deployment of E911 location capable digital handsets to all wireless consumers.”
The agency said the alarm industry has adequate time and equipment to replace all analog alarm radios before the Feb. 18, 2008 sunset date.
“This action permits the wireless industry to redeploy spectrum from analog to digital use, much to the enhancement of carriers’ ability to provide wireless broadband services. This change is of particular importance to rural carriers, for whom the analog requirement is disproportionately burdensome,” FCC Commissioner Michael Copps stated.