Early mobile phones were used on analog networks that required more upkeep and were more costly to run than today’s digital networks. These analog lines have been in use for years for mobile 911 service, GM's OnStar and the alarm industry even when digital networks became commonly available.

Today marks the last day that the FCC will force cellular providers to carry old analog networks. DailyTech reported in July of 2007 that the FCC had ruled to allow the switch off of these analog networks. The biggest potential issue with this is for the alarm industry where alarms commonly use analog cellular service to contact authorities in the event of a break in with the main phone lines down.

RCR Wireless News reports that AT&T and Verizon wireless will be shutting down their analog networks this week. Alltel Corp isn’t shutting its analog networks down this week, but is taking a phased shutdown approach to ensure that it has GSM coverage in place around the country for all the potentially affected areas after analog service is disconnected.

RCR Wireless News quotes Scott Morris, an Alltel Corp spokesman saying, “What Alltel is doing is we’re actually not shutting off any analog networks on Monday. The first shutdown will occur March 31 in the South. The second phase will shutoff analog networks in 11 states scattered across the country on June 30. And the final shutdown is scheduled for Sept. 31 in 14 remaining states the carrier covers.”

AT&T Spokesman Mark Siegel says, “The date is Monday and exactly how that is going to play out around the country I don’t have specific details on, but we’ve been very clear that it will be done Monday. We are doing it coincidentally with the turn down of our TDMA network.”