Network Transition Plan
Don't get caught by surprise when the carriers shut down the 2G and 3G GSM networks.
What is happening?
Cellular carriers in North America are sunsetting legacy 2G CDMA and 3G GSM networks. By February of 2022, those legacy cellular networks will be retired.
AlarmAgent customers with units purchased before 2015 will unfortunately be impacted. As a result, these units require a hardware upgrade before the networks sunset. As we always have been, Raco is here for you.
Every customer has unique needs, so even though we have a plan to make this transition as painless as possible, we want to talk to you to figure out the best upgrade path for your situation.
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FAQ
Answers to the most common questions we get about the network sunset.
What's this mean for us?
If your Alarmagent unit has firmware version below 7.0, you need to upgrade your board. You can find this information on your account or get in touch with us. These boards are on the 2G or 3G networks that will be sunset by the beginning of 2022.
How is Raco helping?
Staying consistent with our 70+ years of customer service, we want to try and get ahead of this so it does not become an issue. We have an upgrade kit available for you, please submit your contact information for further details.
How can i see if my unit will be impacted?
Log on to AlarmAgent.com and select the "Manage RTUs" tab. You will see a list of RTU's in your firm's company. All those with FIRMWARE versions below 7.0 will be highlighted and need to be replaced. You will see the following note accompanying those units: "NOTICE: Upcoming network sunsets may impact existing AlarmAgents that are not using LTE radios. Schedule time with Raco to come up with migration plan or buy an upgrade online." Click here to see a screenshot sample of a company with impacted units.
Can I submit an upgrade request online?
Of course! You can go online and fill out an RFQ or order on the spot.
Will I have to reprogram my Alarmagent?
Absolutely not. At the factory, we can clone the inputs on your existing board so your new board will be the same. We will also update your Alarmagent.com account accordingly. You don't even need to send your old board back to Raco.
What happens WHen my unit is cloned
Once we receive an order from you, we will move your board into production. To clone the unit, we copy the configurations directly from the replacement unit. We import the new unit into your AlarmAgent.com account, naming it "Copy of *RTU Name*" (example would be "Copy of Lift Station 1"). Your users will be notified of the import but there is no service interruption to the existing unit being replaced.
Will I have to purchase a new antenna?
Yes. Your current antenna is compatible with older networks but the antenna used on your new board must be LTE compatible. If you don't know what antenna you have with your AlarmAgent, that's not a problem. At the factory we can help you figure out what antenna you currently use and replace that accordingly.
Are there additional benefits to the upgrade?
A host of new features! Increased speed and efficiency is part of any upgrade of service. Specific to the AlarmAgent, we think the most important, and most impressive, component of the upgrade is the ability to access “real time” communication from your units, allowing for SCADA / HMI display of your operational data. You will also have access to over the air firmware upgrades and enhanced mobile capabilities.
What would happen if I wait?
There has been speculation about these sunsets for years; however, the networks have confirmed they will not be extending any service. In fact, the sunset date was recently moved up. Although it may seem like an enticing path, we do not recommend waiting to upgrade your service or hoping an extension is granted. Here at the factory, we have already begun upgrading our necessary equipment so we are not affected by these changes.
What else do i need to know
The information above is a good summary of the network sunset and Raco's plans to assist customers. Feel free to reach out directly to Raco by emailing sales@racoman.com. Thank you for being a customer and we look forward to hearing from you.