WASHINGTON-The Federal Communications Commission proposed rules that could lead to the eventual end of analog cellular service, a move that could hurt telematics and other security businesses.
However, the commission gave itself a number of “outs.”
“We seek to ensure that eliminating the analog compatibility standard does not adversely affect existing analog subscribers, or groups that are particularly dependent on access to analog-based cellular technology. We are therefore reluctant to eliminate this requirement if doing so will significantly impair the access of these users to wireless telecommunications services. If we ultimately decide to retain some form of analog compatibility standard for cellular service, either on a transitional or long-term basis, we must address the fact that the version of the AMPS in our rules is seriously out of date,” said the FCC.
Cellular carriers today are required to set aside a portion of their networks for analog customers. Operators long have hoped the government would remove this requirement so they could use more spectrally efficient digital technologies, like their counterparts operating PCS and enhanced specialized mobile radio networks.
“We support the [FCC] whenever it works to eliminate unnecessary rules, and appreciate this current effort. The public is best served when carriers have the ability and flexibility to make sound business decisions unhindered by out-of-date regulations. While we are aggressively migrating from analog to digital networks, we continue to value our analog customers. The proposed changes will not help solve the looming spectrum crunch, but it demonstrates that the [FCC] is headed in the right direction by eliminating over-regulation in wireless,” said Jeffrey Nelson, spokesman for Verizon Wireless.
“The FCC is doing a comprehensive review of their pretty old rules. They seem to have an open mind … of course the biggie is the potential elimination of the analog technical standard,” said Ben Almond, vice president of federal regulatory affairs for Cingular Wireless Inc.
The proposal to eliminate the analog set-aside is not being cheered from all quarters, however. The Wireless Consumers Alliance was upset at the prospect of losing the analog set-aside rule.
“The commission’s proposed rule changes are predicated on the false assumption that there is meaningful competition between wireless carriers-there is not. The commission cannot further abandon consumers to the whims of the cartels that dominate this business. We are appalled that the commission would even consider permitting the discontinuance of analog service, which is widely used for safety and security by the most vulnerable people in our society,” said WCA President Carl Hilliard.
PCS carriers, which entered the market in the digital age and do not have any analog set-aside requirement, have often complained that cellular operators clamor for more spectrum without efficiently using the spectrum they currently own.
The largest PCS carrier, Sprint PCS, recently proposed a compromise between the two camps. Sprint said the spectrum cap should be modified to allow cellular licensees to gain access to spectrum to replace spectrum that they must set aside for analog use.
“AMPS is important enough that they should be allowed to go over the cap. We know that within the industry there is a good amount of support for a rational phase-out of the standard,” said Roger Sherman, Sprint PCS senior attorney.
A reasonable migration path, said Sherman, would give those industries and consumers that exclusively use analog-such as telematics and text telephone systems-time to convert to digital technology.
OnStar, the nation’s largest telematics provider, plans to begin installing dual-mode technology in upcoming General Motors Corp. vehicles, said Ken Enborg, OnStar vice president, general counsel and public policy director.
Carriers have until June 2002 to make digital handsets available that are capable of making 911 calls with a TTY. Currently TTYs are only analog-compatible.
Other consumers may be stranded if the FCC eliminates the analog set-aside so the commission is specifically asking for comments on who would be stranded, how and why.
In addition, the FCC would like to know whether portions of the Communications Act would require keeping the analog set-aside. For example, Section 255 requires that all telecommunications equipment be available for those with disabilities. Comments are due July 2 with replies due Aug. 1.
