WTOC, Savannah, Georgia, news, weather and sports | Cellular Analog-to-Digital Switch to Affect Older Security Systems
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Service technician Jeff Maddox upgrades a system.
SAVANNAH, GA--If you have a home or business security system, pay close attention. A ruling by the Federal Communications Commission could disable your alarm system.
Starting in February, the FCC will no longer require cell phone companies to provide analog service. The change means your security system may need some serious upgrades to keep working.
"I just removed the old analog and I'm putting up the digital now," explained Jeff Maddox, a service technician for ADS Security in Savannah.
Maddox is changing a customer's analog alarm system to digital service. He has plenty of security systems to upgrade, thanks to the FCC's mandate.
"I think our company's done about 20 [upgrades] in the last month," he said. "I believe we've got about 26 more to do. We'll be glad when it's over."
The cellular signal allows the alarm system to automatically call the security company if the alarm goes off. Digital technology is supposed to be more reliable and carry a better signal, but it could mean analog alarm systems, usually systems that were installed before 2006, will need to be upgraded.
That can cost up to a few hundred dollars, depending on your security service. If you do have an analog alarm system, you're not required to replace it, but you probably will want to. If someone breaks into your home and cuts your home phone line, your alarm system will have no way of sending a signal to your alarm company for help.
"If they want that same amount of security on their security system, then it's a must," said ADS Security consultant Toney Liakakis. "It's something we definitely need to take care of."
Liakakis said the system is all the more important for people who don't have a home phone because the buil-in backup system is the only way the alarm system can contact the security company.
"I think at some point [some] folks think we're just trying to sell them something that they don't actually need," he said, "but we want the customer to know that this is something that's necessary. It's a change that we have to do."
The change takes place February 18, 2008. It will also affect some cell phone customers with older-model analog phones. Some companies may charge you an extra fee for service. The switch will also affect some customers with On-Star technology with 2003 or older GM cars that can't be upgraded.
Reported by: Liz Flynn, lflynn@wtoc.com
