AICC Report

Defining the Cellular Sunset

A simple expression that is plaguing our industry (again)

By Lou Fiore, Chairman, AICC

As our industry works toward replacing 3G cellular radios with 4G cellular radios, it should be no surprise that I can confidently predict we will be making similar changes for years to come. 5G is already here. Will 6G be the end? It might seem so since 6G will be pushing the limits of the useable radio spectrum. It is likely that variations pushing these limits, the limits of information theory, newer antenna technology and faster, more dense chips will be created, forcing more sunsets and change-outs. In other words, as technology progresses, newer generations of cellular technology will occupy existing spectrum already devoted to cellular radio. If you cannot get more spectrum, you do a better job of using what you have. At some point new versions will not be backward compatible and will force new sunsets. xG to (x+1)G seems an inevitable progression. However, even if my view is wrong and cellular generations progress linearly from 4G to 5G to 6G and perhaps end there, we can still assume, based on history, that each generation will last about ten years. If indeed that trend continues that will give us twenty more years of dealing with sunsets.

To some extent, with the competition among carriers, we now see major carriers moving 5G onto 3G spectrum just for the sake of saying they have 5G available – without, in the short term, giving their customers the ultimate advantages of 5G technology. We are somewhat caught up in this with the sunset of 3G on the AT&T and Verizon networks.

TMA, however, has been coordinating offset frequencies in the 450 MHz commercial band for decades. The mantle of “coordinator” fell on me with the passing of Bob Bitton last July. These frequencies allow for alternative technologies. If your needs are the simple passing of alarm data–such as Contact ID and similar formats–without audio or video, these alternatives should be explored.

Simple alarm transmission can be accomplished by one-way radio. This technology has been in use since circa 1975. It has evolved from the 27 MHz Citizens Band, through the 150 MHz band to the 450 MHz band, and even to 900 MHz. Fully NRTL-compliant twoway radio versions, both for fire and high security applications, have also evolved.

Another alternative to the one-way radio, two-way radio, and cellular is wireless mesh networks. In recent years, mesh technology has albeit taken over the one-way and twoway radio arena. Its simplicity and utility have made it so pervasive.

Wireless mesh networks are created using technology that emits radio frequencies from point A to point B to point C, and so on until it reaches a collection point. One of the most notable benefits of a mesh network is that each point of communication is connected without a hierarchical system. This means that the RF signals automatically choose the fastest points of communication until reaching a destination, i.e. your central monitoring station.

There are salient features that set mesh apart from its older one-way and twoway cousins, including:

n It does not require transmission directly from a monitored premises back to a central location or tower. n Although it is supervised, it does not require occupying a radio channel for polling. n Messages are sent in short duration burst. n It allows for constant visibility into the network’s “health.” n It is self-healing, which provides an added layer of redundancy. n There are no fees to be paid to a carrier.

In addition to its technical merits, mesh technology allows an installing company to own its own network, providing the ability to brand and price with more freedom.

The latest FCC order strengthened the position of NRTL Listed companies to hold licenses on designated, clear 450 MHz band frequencies, without fear of other services encroaching on them. In addition to the offsets, that is the channels between the main or primary channels, the latest FCC order has given us something we were asking for a number of years, which is for alarm companies to use the main channels for data on a primary rather than secondary basis to voice. Having priority over these frequencies, both primary and offsets, we can fend off other services wishing to use them.

As we struggle with the latest xG to (x+1)G transition, it is a good idea to at least explore alternatives.

FCC to Require Area Code for Short-Distance Phone Calls

The FCC will require 10-digit dialing to make way for the new three-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 988.

See page 28 for details on this transition. Customer Expectations, continued from page 21

Customers will increasingly expect the same features and functionality from their security companies. Can they check the latch on their back gates while boarding a flight? Can they lock the back door of their flower shop if the clerk forgets? Can a package be taken from the porch and put in the garage?

Exceeding these growing expectations will define the winners in the next decade. There are tremendous opportunities and challenges.

Security companies need to be strategically and tactically agile to accelerate revenue and subscriber growth and, as important, meet higher customer expectations.