Knowledge is power and understanding how the Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS) is coming down can help you plan, even at this late date.  We believe that there will be two major efforts at taking down the network, one underway now in February by one major carrier, and the other effort in very early March by another carrier.

The security industry will start seeing the number of radios coming off the network grow daily, as one of the major carriers continues their planned February take-down for AMPS. Please be advised that security companies should be alerted that the rate of failed radios will increase day by day across the United States between now and the end of February. No company should get lulled into a false sense of security and believe that radios will continue to operate just because radios in their area didn’t fail on February 19. We anticipate that the pace of failed radios will quicken over the next several days as one of the major carriers executes their take-down plan across the country region by region.  

Another large number of radios will come off the network in early March and represent the vast remaining number of radios in the United States.  This is as a result of a different major carrier planning their take-down at this time.  We estimate that this take-down will be even more dramatic in its impact.

The only radios that will likely remain after early March will be a relatively small number of radios supported by smaller/regional carriers

NBFAA wants to remind members that there is information on AMPS – including a copy of the FCC’s most recent press release, NBFAA’s consumer press release from July, 2007, sample customer letters and background information. 

Also, member companies may be contacted by their local media during the next few weeks as more and more people become aware of this issue.  Here are some talking points that we suggest you consider in preparing to respond to both media and customers. 

NBFAA worked with the industry in an effort to seek an extension from the FCC and was denied. One of the reasons we wanted an extension was our belief that this transition would take some time – especially when you consider that the replacement technology was only available very recently.

NBFAA estimates that of the 26 million alarm users, approximately one million use cellular systems as a back-up to landline connections.  Those families and businesses that use a cellular back-up system, should contact their alarm company to ensure that they will have a connection in the event of a landline failure.

In some instances, businesses and families rely on cellular systems as a primary connection – and it is especially critical that those individuals and businesses contact their alarm companies right away.

Click below for more information on AMPS