Analog Networks to Go Dark On Monday
"Monday, February 18, the FCC will allow wireless network operators to shut down their old analog networks. These networks, built in the 1980s and called Advanced Mobile Phone Systems (AMPS) were some of the first used in the U.S. Network operators can also turn off their first-generation TDMA digital networks. Verizon Wireless and AT&T plan to shut their analog networks down on the 18th. The number of AMPS and TDMA users is low, so most wireless costumers will be unaffected. Other, regional network operators will likely turn their analog networks off as well."
Regarding this, I was wondering if anyone had feedback on this from the customers whose service may have been axed. If customers have been upset or if they have been happy to get ...
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Regarding this, I was wondering if anyone had feedback on this from the customers whose service may have been axed. If customers have been upset or if they have been happy to get ...
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MrHawaii said:...
"Monday, February 18, the FCC will allow wireless network operators to shut down their old analog networks. These networks, built in the 1980s and called Advanced Mobile Phone Systems (AMPS) were some of the first used in the U.S. Network operators can also turn off their first-generation TDMA digital networks. Verizon Wireless and AT&T plan to shut their analog networks down on the 18th. The number of AMPS and TDMA users is low, so most wireless costumers will be unaffected. Other, regional network operators will likely turn their analog networks off as well."
Regarding this, I was wondering if anyone had feedback on this from the customers whose service may have been axed. If customers have been upset
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Thanks for the info, I knew that I am wondering how big of a deal this has been to customers. I haven't noticed this affecting anyone in Hawaii (yet) is what I was trying to say. I guess I am asking if anyone has noticed any affect elsewhere?
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Can't really think of anywhere where it would have a BIG effect. The GSM footprint eclipsed the analog/TDMA footprint back in 2005. Some of our people might've held onto TDMA/Analog specifically for the reason of allowing them to roam on Podunk Wireless, or to use certain analog towers on Verizon's network, but they will be few and far between. This would be most prevalent in places like... hmm. Rural Utah? Iowa maybe? States with lots of wide open empty and who have been lower priorities for GSM expansion.
Then there's people who just like bag phones, or find them a necessity based on the remoteness of their usual area of use. West Texas used to be big for that. Nowadays that's an eccentricity.
Then there's people who just like bag phones, or find them a necessity based on the remoteness of their usual area of use. West Texas used to be big for that. Nowadays that's an eccentricity.
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I've only really had one negative reaction. There was a fellow (who would charitably be considered a coot) who gave me a 30 minute tirade right from the start. I believe he called us 'the biggest liars since Red China'. It was hard to determine what exactly his issue was, but I suspect it had something to do with the illuminati and flying saucers. Perhaps the tinfoil had fallen out of his hat.
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That's what I was thought. I mean, that would be the type of people who still have those phones. Just wanted to know that we are not alone in Hawaii. Thanks again. 🙂
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the reason people dont want to give up those old phones is because the government cant listen to the calls. Only digital
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thebiggestguy said:
the reason people dont want to give up those old phones is because the government cant listen to the calls. Only digital
Eh? Analog is the least secure technology there is. ANYONE can listen to that - all they need is a scanner. Your voice conversation is broadcast in the clear, no encryption, not even digital encoding.
TDMA digital is notably more difficult to listen in on. Each channel is carrying three different conversations simultaneously, and it's switching between them many times per second. Add to it that the signal isn't exactly you're voice - it's a series of data packets that represent your voice, and it's not exactly straightforward.
GSM gets a bit trickier yet, since ...
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I turned on my old tdma phone last night and still says AT&T. This means it hasn't been shut down in my area right? i think it should say NO SERVICE...
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Older guy came in on Tuesday and was a little ticked. We got him on a new plan that was cheaper then what he was paying anyways and got him a a437. He was happy to get a new phon and number but still said he never got anthing telling him it was going down.
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BeachSlapped said:
I turned on my old tdma phone last night and still says AT&T. This means it hasn't been shut down in my area right? i think it should say NO SERVICE...
Only Analog service died. TDMA is a digital service and AT&T has decided to keep theirs on to capture roaming revenues from customers that come from Canada and Central and South America. 😉
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Hmmm, that doesn't make much sense. TDMA was already shut down in South America, believe me, I know because I spent more than a year down there. There is absolutely no TDMA service in South America. There's only CDMA and GSM in South America (BTW, CDMA service will be turned off completely by Dec 09) ha ha ha!
Now, Canada.... Well, Canada turned TDMA off also last year. So, how/why AT&T will keep it running if there are no people left using it... Besides, AT&T has GSM roaming agreements. I never heard of TDMA roaming agreements with other countries; even when TDMA's footprint was larger than today's GSM...
Now, Canada.... Well, Canada turned TDMA off also last year. So, how/why AT&T will keep it running if there are no people left using it... Besides, AT&T has GSM roaming agreements. I never heard of TDMA roaming agreements with other countries; even when TDMA's footprint was larger than today's GSM...
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