Recent FCC Rule Change Requires Cellular-Based Back-Up Monitoring Transmitters to be replaced!

By: Richard M. Simpson
Vice President, Technical Services
Vector Security, Inc.

If you are a Vector Security customer whose alarm system employs cellular-based back-up monitoring, you should read this.

This notice addresses changes in FCC rules which will impact the operation of your back-up signal transmitter. Marketed by Vector Security under the names “AlarmNet, Cell Back-Up, SecureTrac™, Telguard, Telular or Uplink,” this service helps preserve the integrity of your system’s ability to transmit signals, in the event your telephone line is deliberately or accidentally severed.

Effective February 18, 2008, cellular providers will no longer be required to maintain the analog channel of the cellular network. Since most back-up alarm services, including Vector’s, use the analog cellular channel to transmit signals, alarm customers receiving this vital service could risk the potential elimination of back-up monitoring unless other provisions are made.

Vector has developed alternatives to address this issue without an interruption in this critical service. It’s important to note that this change will NOT just impact Vector Security customers, but ALL alarm customers receiving cellular back-up alarm services from ANY alarm companies nationwide. We have been testing a variety of replacement technologies over the past year in anticipation of this specific ruling

Our solution to this FCC change will be simple and will allow you to maintain complete reliance on your back-up monitoring services. We will need to replace the analog-based transmitter your system is currently using with a more advanced, digital-based transmitter which will use the digital side of the cellular network. This upgrade will be required to occur by the end of 2007. We will contact you with the right conversion plan for your system in the upcoming months.

Until that time, in accordance with the FCC ruling, the cellular carriers are required to maintain the analog channel, which will allow your existing unit to function properly.

Cellular Back-up Change FAQs      Cellular Back-up Change Information

What does this regulatory change have to do with me? The design of some Vector Security systems includes the provision of back-up monitoring services which utilize a specially designed cellular signal transmitter. This regulatory change impacts the specific radio channel used by cellular transmitters. Vector Security’s back-up monitoring services are marketed under the names “AlarmNet, Cell Back-Up, SecureTrac™, Telguard, Telular or Uplink,” and are selected by many of our customers as an important benefit.

How does the regulatory change affect my cellular transmitter and my Vector Security system? The regulatory change will allow cellular telephone service providers to abandon what’s called “the analog cellular channel,” which is most commonly used to transmit back-up signals from alarm systems. With that specific channel no longer being supported by the cellular telephone service providers, the transmitters are likely to stop operating as of February 18, 2008, and alarm system back-up monitoring services will be impacted.

Will this change only affect Vector Security systems? No, regardless of the make, manufacturer or installer of the security system, this change will impact ANY alarm system that uses a cellular-based back-up monitoring service throughout the United States. All alarm users who incorporate cellular-based back-up monitoring will need to react to this regulatory change.

Does Vector have a plan that will allow its customers to retain their back-up monitoring services? Yes, our plan is to replace current analog-based cellular transmitters with digital-based transmitters which will operate properly on a different part of the cellular network. Your local Vector Security office, responsible for servicing your system, will be in touch to schedule the replacement of your transmitter.

Will there be any charge for the new transmitter? We are replacing transmitters under a cost effective “trade-in” program. There will be a nominal one-time charge for the cost of the new transmitter, including installation! The replacement cost for your specific transmitter will be outlined when you schedule replacement.

Will I experience an increase in monthly monitoring fees associated with this new equipment? NO, there will be no increase in monthly monitoring fees associated with this replacement program.

February 18, 2008, is a long way off; when should I schedule the replacement of my transmitter? Since we have thousands of transmitters to replace over a wide geographic area, the sooner we can replace yours the better. Since this will be a massive replacement program encompassing our entire industry, if we delay converting your transmitter until late in 2007, we are concerned that replacement costs may escalate and product shortages may appear as replacement demand grows.

How do I schedule the replacement of my transmitter? Simply contact your local Vector Security office and the service department will handle the entire replacement process. Replacement work will be conducted during normal business hours, Monday thru Friday.

Why is back-up monitoring important? As you may already know, most common alarm systems can be easily defeated simply by cutting the telephone lines used by the alarm to transmit signals to the central station. Back-up monitoring is used to increase the level of security the alarm system provides by transmitting signals over an alternate path in the event the phone line is deliberately or accidentally severed.

Will there be any interruption of my back-up monitoring service up until the time of the replacement or during the replacement? NO, we do not expect that there will be any interruptions of service until the scheduled cut-off date. The replacement of transmitters will be done during the course of one service call and back-up monitoring will most likely be fully operational at the completion of the call.

What will occur if I choose NOT to update my transmitter? With the specific channel used by your existing transmitter no longer being supported by the cellular telephone service providers, your transmitter is likely to stop operating as of February 18, 2008, and your alarm system back-up monitoring services may be lost.