What’s Next in the Cellular Evolution & How to Leverage it for New Business As you will come to see, this goal can 2006 only be accomplished by phasing out 3G and reallocating the extra bandwidth to 4G LTE. This task can only be described 2001 as daunting and challenging from not just 2018 our security perspective, but more so from theirs. 1989 Looking for more proof? First, because of demand it is necessary to upgrade all cellular networks on a regular basis. Two 2002 billion people on the planet use cellphones, according to James Katz, professor of com- munication at Rutgers University. In fact, as of 2011 there were more cellphone sub- 1999 scribers in the United States than people, ac- LTE cording to a study, underwritten by CTIA, a trade association representing the wireless 1983 1G 2G 3G 4G communications industry in the U.S., as re- ported by Bridget Kelly, author of “What Is Courtesy of Napco StarLink the Role of the Cell Phone in Communica- tion Today?” Ride the New Wave in Cellular for New RMR Society at large is becoming more mo- bile-oriented because of convenience, busi- There’s undeniably a lot of upside system control, remote video monitoring or ness and personal lifestyles. According to for savvy installing security contractors long-distance doorbells. We as an industry market research firm Statista of New York and fire/life-safety professionals whose are on the small screen to the tune of brand City, the number of smartphone users is billable offerings keep pace with the new relevance and new recurring revenue. forecast to increase from 2.1 billion in 2016 ongoing evolution of cellular technology, Indeed cellular-based alarm reporting to around 2.5 billion in 2019. Parks & Asso- i.e., the demise of older cellular networks and a variety of interactive services have ciates of Addison, Texas, finds that 19% of and the introduction of faster, more already become a tremendous source of young consumers engage in live streaming, robust LTE communications. ready, dependable recurring monthly reve- 35% of U.S. smartphone users use cellular The meteoric rise of cell phone technol- nue (RMR) for installing security and fire/ for social networking, and 29% of U.S. con- ogy and consumer adoption in the last 40 life-safety contractors. High-speed cellular sumers get their news via their smartphone. or so years, has been quite a wild ride. No translates into an extremely lucrative in- Cellular Carriers are forced to meet this longer are phones’ principle use for making come each and every month for thousands growing demand with faster, more connec- calls, and in place of the original 25-pound of companies worldwide, thus assuring an tive technologies and 4G LTE will help brick devices few lugged around in the ear- ample flow of cash. make that possible. ly 80’s, today virtually everyone, old and Ahead, we’ll take a look at the new sun- Some business professionals question young, has one handily in their pocket or set facing the security and fire/life-safety whether or not the current 3G sunset is wearable on their wrist. Likewise, the con- industry, the technologies that are replacing being premature, considering that Cellular nections they allow, SMS text, talk and so- 3G, as well as examine some of the new di- Carriers just phased out 2G no more than cial media, or interacting with all parts of the rections that 4G and LTE can be expected to two to three years ago. But, before we draw home or business, on-the-go, has proven one take the industry going forward. any conclusions, it’s important to know that of the greatest, most-addictive phenomena of our times. Today, it’s imperative we have The Need for Speed: Circumstances to stay in touch with all aspects of our lives Behind the Recent 3G Sunset 365/24/7, and the handheld pocket comput- The need for fast, efficient, enter- ers, or smart devices, we use to do so are prise-level mobile communications grows simply indispensable, as are the fortunate with each passing day. As the world around applications we choose to put on them. us teeters on the brink of becoming a fully The digital convenience factor and the wireless and mobile society, it has become scary place in which we live have combined, absolutely necessary for cellular service such that security too has a new starring role providers to create a technology that will in consumer’s wants and needs on those perform faster with more possible connec- very phones, whether it’s virtual security tions. 3G, in some way, shape or form, has been opportunity has not been lost on other Tech present that will handle the rapidly growing tion video, improvements in voice/audio ers, and those who service and inspect fire Be Smart Offering Smart Services, around since 2005. In fact, some cellular Giants, who in search of subscription-based demand for faster, more reliable cellular quality, longer lasting smartphone batteries systems, NFPA72-Compliant Universal including Business experts claim that 3G actually began to business models, have also entered this service. So it’s easy to see how retiring 3G (because of the low-powered nature of 4G Cellular Alarm Communicators are a real Many of the universal alarm commu- show up in some cellular systems as early dynamic market --like Google, Amazon & and moving valuable and essential band- LTE), GPS asset tracking, fleet telematic coup: For FACP system upgrade potential; nicators on the market also enable dealers as 2001. Generally, the effective life of any Apple, with their DIY or Pro. connected width to the 4G side provides an even fast- services, Internet of Things (IoT), a faster new customer service savings; new pro- to offer the homeowner or small- to medi- cellular communications generation is 13 to products. er cellular-to-Internet connection, which is pipeline for alarm signals, a host of interac- spective accounts for easy takeover; and um-sized business a number of home- or 15 years. There’s another good reason why 3G essential for the security and fire/life-safety tive services for smart buildings and homes, new-found Fire RMR --all great for month- business management interactive services, In brief, the primary reason for retiring must go, that directly pertains to security, markets that the alarm industry serves. and more. ly cash flow & business valuation. that connect to the user’s smartphone at 3G lies in the differences between it and too. Where 3G provides a typical data band- As to an end-of-life date, although Ver- One powerful benefit that 4G LTE cel- The original, underlying issue, as it re- the other end of the cellular connection. 4G LTE, along with an incessant need for width of 2Mbps to 21Mbps, 4G offers up izon, AT&T, T-Mobile and other carriers lular brings to the alarm industry is an op- lates to POTs now, is supply & demand. These include virtual keypads, SMS/MMS speed and effective bandwidth. Our under- a data bandwidth of 100Mbps to 1Gbps, have announced a sunset date for 3G, in portunity for security dealers to cash in on Today, it’s not always possible to get a notifications, lighting; video surveillance; standing of the issues behind it begins with which is up to 10x faster. There’s more. The reality these networks have been moving the service itself. Not only do alarm dealers telephone line when and where you need it. heating, refrigeration, ventilation and air a brief explanation as to the primary differ- upload data rate of 3G, which is extremely bandwidth from 3G to 4G for a number of provide the cellular communicator and cell Not only that but Telcos are no longer giv- conditioning (HVAC); arming/disarming; ence between the two. Note that the G in 4G crucial for alarm systems and other secu- years. Through “spectrum harvesting,” Cel- service, but they can also provide a host ing priority to their POTS network. Instead, status checks; and the control of interactive pertains to the “generation” of the cellular rity-related services, is 5Mbps, 500Mbps lular Carriers can effectively nudge users to of cell-based services delivered virtually their attention is on wireless where the heart deadbolts and locksets. These are only a few technology, which centers on data through- with 4G. In terms of downloading, 3G of- invest in 4G LTE devices by allocating less real-time to the consumer’s favorite smart of their bank account resides — wireless/ of the things that can be accomplished with put within the cell system itself. fers a download data rate of 21Mbps where- and less bandwidth to 3G. device, phone, tablet, etc. And, that speed cellular. So, even when you can get a POTS some of the products now on the market. LTE technology itself pertains to as 4G offers 1Gbps peak. The issue of operating frequency cen- and that multitasking mobile convenience, line or two, as for a commercial fire system, With a faster cellular system, plus players cell-to-Internet connectivity, which in turn 4G uses packet and message switching, ters on the penetration of cellular signals is precisely what today’s digital society has the quality of service is not always what it like Amazon & Google in the mix, there’s centers on IP networking. Together, 4G and in addition to LTE that offers full IP-based through construction materials. The lower come to expect and demand from all the ser- should be. And as of 2018, phone cos. are sure to be more.