If you have an old cell phone, you may want to upgrade it soon. Most major wireless companies are switching to an all-digital network in 2008. They will retire their analog networks“ As of midnight on Feb. 18, 2008, cellular telephone companies will not be required to provide analog service,” according to an FCC consumer advisory letter. “While most wireless telephone users will not be affected by this transition (often called the ‘analog cellular sunset’), some users may be affected. In addition, the transition could affect some alarm systems and some users of On Star in-vehicle communications service. Some providers are giving their users some extra time. Alltel, for instance, recently sent out a letter to customers explaining that it will stop analog service on March 31.All cellular companies are required to notify their analog customers at least four months before discontinuing analog service, and again at least 30 days beforehand.

So how can you tell if you’ll be affected? “If you don’t know whether your current handset is digital or analog, there are several ways to find out,” according to the FCC. “If your wireless phone has advanced features such as text or instant messaging, Internet browsing, an MP3 player or an integrated camera, it is digital. If your wireless phone uses a SIM card (a small, removable card that can be found under your phone’s battery), it is digital. Some wireless phones display an icon indicating that they have digital capabilities. If you have an older model “bag” phone, it is probably analog.