WASHINGTON – The United States has officially terminated old-style analog cell service. Feb. 18, 2008, was the last day for old-style analog cell service in the United States, as the Federal Communications Commission mandates shutdown of obsolete systems in order to free frequency ranges for new advances services, according to the Web site www.Digitaltrends.com.

Although the shutdown of analog cell phone service will impact few mobile phone users, the switchover may have impacts for vehicle fleet tracking. Although most fleet tracking has converted to GPS-based systems in recent years, even some GPS tracking systems relied on the analog cell network to transmit information back to the fleet operator. In other words, the vehicle will be able to determine where it’s located, but it won’t be able to “phone home” with the information.