NEWS Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, D. C. 20554 This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974). News Media Information 202 / 418-0500 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 1-888-835-5322 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: June 15, 2007 Chelsea Fallon: (202) 418-7991 FCC MAINTAINS FEBRUARY 18, 2008 SUNSET OF CELLULAR LICENSEE ANALOG SERVICE REQUIREMNT Washington, D.C. – In a Memorandum Opinion and Order (Order) released today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) denied a Petition for Rulemaking filed by the Alarm Industry Communications Committee and ADT Security Services, Inc., seeking a two- year extension of the requirement that cellular licensees provide analog service to subscribers and roamers whose equipment conforms to the Advanced Mobile Phone Service (AMPS) standard.1 Today’s decision upholds the analog cellular sunset date of February 18, 2008, after which cellular licenses may, but will no longer be required to, provide AMPS service. The FCC found that its 2002 decision to adopt a five-year sunset of the analog service requirement 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 FCC found that the alarm industry has sufficient time and equipment to replace all analog alarm radios that are used as a primary communications path before the analog sunset date and that the public interest would not be served by extending the analog service requirement beyond February 18, 2008. In today’s Order, the FCC also took three related actions to ensure the continuity of wireless service to consumers and to ensure that interested parties are fully informed of the analog sunset. First, the FCC ruled that before discontinuing analog service, cellular licensees must notify, at specified intervals, all of their analog-only subscribers of their intention to discontinue analog service. Second, the FCC provided a strong incentive for carriers to ensure that the discontinuance of analog service will not result in any loss of wireless coverage by permitting a carrier to certify that the discontinuance of analog service will not result in any loss of wireless coverage in a Cellular Geographic Service Area (CGSA).2 Third, the FCC directed its Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, in conjunction with the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, to initiate a public outreach campaign to ensure that consumers, 1 The Commission has never imposed the technology-specific AMPS/analog service requirement on any other commercial mobile radio service providers, including PCS and SMR providers. 2 Any carrier unable to make the certification must file a revised CGSA showing with the FCC. Any area of a CGSA no longer served by a cellular carrier with digital service following its discontinuance of analog service will be forfeited and available for reassignment by the FCC. 2 public safety groups, and other interested parties are aware of, and prepared for, the analog sunset in February 2008. Action by the Commission on May 25, 2007 by Memorandum Opinion and Order (FCC 07-103). Chairman Martin and Commissioners Copps, Adelstein, Tate, and McDowell. Separate statements issued by Commissioners Copps and Adelstein. For additional information, contact Joyce Jones, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, at (202) 418-1327, or Joyce.Jones@fcc.gov. RM No. 11355 – FCC – News and other information about the Federal Communications Commission are available at www.fcc.gov.