The advent of new technologies or innovative processes always push the edges of Progress. The Stone Age provided improved tools ; the Bronze Age added unprecedented strength, and the Iron Age fostered unparalleled advancements in material sciences. All of these compounded and, ultimately, led up to the First Industrial Revolution. The world has since witnessed the Second, Third and now a Fourth Industrial Revolution. At the heart of this advancement is the near-obsessive commitment to new digital technologies.

The First Industrial Revolution, largely driven by water- and steam-power, resulted in the mechanization of production— the act of producing materials and goods. The speed and accuracy with which companies were able to make products had an almost atomic e�ect on the world. Those who were unable to keep up were quickly swallowed by the changing technological tide. The Second Industrial Revolution displaced water- and steam-powered machines with electric power and, combined with division of labor, gave rise to a new era of mass production. Companies that were unable to make the shift were pushed to the side. Following the same pattern, the Third Industrial Revolution did the same thingwhen it took automated production to the next level via electronic and informational technologies.

Much of the world is currently witnessing the Fourth Industrial Revolution, otherwise known as the Internet of Things (IoT). Like those before it , this revolution has the potential to boost global income levels, increase productivity and improve quality of life across the globe. However, unlike the revolutions that preceded it, the IoT is characterized not by any select technology, but by a technological synthesis of digital, physical and biological systems. Understandably, this new set of systems is putting increasing demands on legacy communication networks and sparking the need for new Internet protocol (IP) networks. In tandem with IoT

(also known as the IP Transition), analog Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) are being phased out and replaced by IP networks to obtain improved signal quality, increased speeds, longer lifecycles and reduced overall maintenance. A portion of this IP Transition is focused on assets such as fax machines, monitoring equipment and phones that still rely on analog networks despite the carrier’s migration to digital networks.

What is Analog vs Digital?The introduction of wireless and/or cellular technology in the 1990s has steadily replaced analog phone lines to the point that , according to Harvard Business Review, as few as 20% of homes use analog lines today. As a result, in 2014 the FCC began asking carriers to submit research proposals. The goal was to test and find e�ective ways to help migrate customers away from analog networks . In July, the FCC made an announcement allowing network operators to shift

away from legacy networks to IP-based services more quickly and e�ciently than before. Legacy

copper line networks, according to a 2013 report released by Bell Labs, are poised to sunset in 2025. Previous regulations made the trans i t ion cumbersome and d i�cu l t for the network operators to make the switch, which may have negatively impacted customers in terms of pricing, signal strength and availability. Under the

new guidelines, operators can have their applications automatically granted as long

as they can prov ide comparab le network performance metrics, ensure access to 911 services

and confirm that their services are compatible with home security systems, medical devices, credit card readers and fax machines.

Just as each revolution improved or evolved the technology of previous i terat ions , the IP Trans it ion has been replacing legacy analog phone lines in favor of digital lines.

In the past, analog phone lines have ruled over the communications sector due to the role played by phone companies in data transmission. Analog l ines, also referred to as “Plain Old Telephone Service” (POTS), transmit information by modulating continuous signals (i.e. voice and video). Analog lines support a multitude of devices and machines, including standard home phones, fax machines and modems, and are typically found in hospitals, pharmacies, homes and small o�ces. The remaining analog customers largely consist of older residents in rural areas. Digital lines, which are more prominent in larger corporate o�ces, b reak the s igna l s in to b i t s o f data expressed in b inary code. Despite analog lines being part of the “OldGuard” communication technologies, d ig i ta l t ransmiss ion holds strong advantages, such as improved line quality and increased data capacity.

Analog circuits require amplifiers which add distortion and noise to the signal, resulting in transmission errors. In comparison, digital amplifiers regenerate signals, exactly and eliminate cumulative errors. With digital amplifiers, incoming signals are sampled, their value determined, and a new signal is generated from the bit value—whereas analog signals amplify both the noise and the data values. In addition to noise-related interruptions, analog line signals also have limited data capacity. Since digital lines transform the signal into binary code, this allows for more data to be transmitted. Because of this, Internet-based and wireless technologies have now been embraced as the best option to handle the exploding level of demand for voice, video and data transmission.

The Pain of ProgressLooking back, the confusion, struggles and challenges associated with the transition from the old to the new can get glossed over in favor of the positives. With the Fourth Industrial Revolution (the first three consisting of the construction of railroads across the U.S., the introduction of the telegraph and the Internet, respectively) we are reminded of the di�culties in moving to a new paradigm. And because adopting new technologies can be di�cult, many forego their window of opportunity and wait too long to join the march towards progress. Technical disruptions are best leveraged by the forward-thinking and adaptable —and the IP Transition is no exception.

Similar to the 2G cellular network sunset, where cellular customers needed to migrate o� of 2G technology and onto faster networks, the IP Transition is a series of advancements where packets of IP-based communications replace traditional analog signals. Both businesses and end users will migrate from POTS towards IP and wireless communications over the next decade. Some of the challenges included in this transition are migration expense, coverage, back-up battery requirements, and overcoming the bias of obsolescence.

ExpenseAlthough implementing any type of new service or process comes with a price tag, the price of passivity is much steeper than moving forward with new technology. For instance, analog communication data lines, according to James Brehm & Associates, already cost between 4 and 10 times more to run than cellular lines — and are expected to double in price in the near future.

The majority of those costs have to do with maintenance. According to Larry Downes, Internet industry analyst and

project director of The Georgetown Center for Business and Public Policy, nearly 50% of wireline

expenses went towards maintenance in 2013. Current operating expenses for IP networks

can be as much as 90% less than operating costs for POTS lines. Copper lines also have shorter lifecycles when compared to fiber lines and are more expensive to install and or replace.

Coverage Another challenge to the analog-to-

digital migration arises from the enormous scale on which it’s occurring. It’s occurring

on a global scale and both urban and rural residents are a�ected. Residents and businesses

in rural areas still heavily rely on traditional copper networks and phone lines in order to conduct business

and go about their daily lives as wireless coverage may be inconsistent. As analog networks phase out, broadband and wireless networks are filling in to improve coverage. Rural customers still need a reliable communication lifeline.

Back-up Battery RequirementsAs carriers continue to sunset POTS lines, there have been concerns surrounding failover systems for certain equipment that must remain connected at all times, including access to 911 and other emergency services. Traditional analog networks provide a level of security that digital lines sometimes cannot currently provide during emergencies. The FCC encourages network providers to inform businesses on ways to back-up their assets. This is primarily resolved through back-up batteries or generators that can switch on during emergency situations and or outages. However, some of these back-up batteries need to have a wireline connection. In order to smooth over the transition for users, the FCC requires all consumer applications shifting from analog to digital lines to be able to provide access to emergency services at all times.

Overcoming the Bias of ObsolescenceThe FCC’s recent push for the IP Transition to be completed by 2025 is most likely a generous valuation of the expected timeline. The analog-to-digital migration has begun and there are several opportunities for businesses to make a graceful transition to wireless communications using analog-to-wireless converters, which can be obtained from trusted hardware providers like MultiTech.

MultiTech Makes the Analog-to-Digital Transition EasyThe nature of revolutions is to be disruptive, breaking down the Old in favor of building up the New. You need to fo l low indust ry l eaders that have weathered multiple revolutions within the communications space to make this transition a smooth one. MultiTech relies on a 45-year industry track record of excellence in Machine-to-Machine (M2M) Communications and IoT. MultiTech continues to deepen its experience in both analog and cellular tech-nologies, and also leads in providing Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN™) equipment . Mult iTech o�ers a broad line of Industrial IoT (IIoT) connectivity hardware, in both boxed and embedded form factors. These include routers, modems, gateways and modules. R e l y i n g o n i t s d e e p l y tenured team of engineers, MultiTech o�ers safe passage to those seeking to transition towards the New, and has successfully helped many companies cycle through di�erent technological revolutions many times over.

A transition doesn’t have to require a complete redesign of expensive assets in the field. Analog-to-wireless converters allow the asset to continue operating in the field as before, but change the communication technology to a cellular transmission, instead of a point to point analog transmission. MultiTech o�ers a unique analog-to-digital converter which can reduce your communication costs.

The MultiConnect® AW analog to wireless converter allows the field equipment to continuing working

e�ciently and e�ectively within a cellular environment. Customers are not only able to keep their assets in-field and operational, but they can also save money on lower ongoing operational communication costs. Ultimately, the AW converter is a stepping stone which allows customers to keep their assets in the field longer, whi le

transitioning to a full cellular platform.

Use CasesThe magnitude on which this IP Transition is happening

has an impact at both the home and business level. However, the MultiTech Analog to Wireless converters can be utilized as a transition product in the analog to digital migration. Some of the use cases include end users, medical devices, telecommunications and monitoring equipment.

HealthcareThe healthcare industry is being a�ected by the IP Transition. One of the obstacles blocking healthcare institutions from transitioning to using digital devices is the cost-prohibitive nature of medical equipment redesign. The healthcare industry is highly regulated and the approval cycles are long. Many home medical monitoring devices continue to transmit data on POTS lines. As POTS lines becomes harder to procure and rise in cost, and transmission quality su�ers, o�ering an analog to cellular converter makes sense. It al lows the medical equipment to stay in the home but moves the data transmission o� POTS lines and onto to a cellular data network for transmission.

End usersDaily life is increasingly lived online and businesses have taken notice and begun to respond accordingly. For example: some apartment complexes have begun requiring residents to pay for rent and/or utilities through a company website. However, that doesn’t mean that analog line services aren’t still needed in the home. Traditional analog dial up landlines are still used in some homes throughout the U.S., primarily in rural areas and among older users. Analog lines are also used in Point Of Sale (POS) terminals and kiosks, such as ATMs, gas pumps, and in-home security systems.

End users are also a�ected by their telecomm and broad-band providers. Broadband telecommunications and cable providers have been o�ering bundled services for customers. These bundles include cable, phone, Internet and security services rolled up into one bill and through one broadband network. This provides convenience to the customers and

reduces cost overall for the carriers. However, then customers are reliant on a single IP network and

subject to network congestion and other issues. Generally a back-up battery system

is needed to ensure 911 services are available during an outage.

Moving ForwardHistory has proven that innovation will overturn the status quo and force the world to reassess its processes. While the sun may set on one technology,

another will rise. Businesses can rest assured that companies like MultiTech

will remain steady throughout the innovation and continue to provide dedicated service

and quality to clients. Technological challenges will continue to be solved by MultiTech engineers

as they have proven many times over. By selecting a trusted partner like MultiTech, one with a decades-long track record and an extensive portfolio of successful technology migration programs, companies can get a deeper understanding of what is occurring and how to best solve these challenges until this revolution is like those before it, just a thing of the past.

“As few as 20% of homes use analog lines today.” Harvard Business

Review

From Analog to DigitalEasing the transition

The advent of new technologies or innovative processes always push the edges of Progress. The Stone Age provided improved tools ; the Bronze Age added unprecedented strength, and the Iron Age fostered unparalleled advancements in material sciences. All of these compounded and, ultimately, led up to the First Industrial Revolution. The world has since witnessed the Second, Third and now a Fourth Industrial Revolution. At the heart of this advancement is the near-obsessive commitment to new digital technologies.

The First Industrial Revolution, largely driven by water- and steam-power, resulted in the mechanization of production— the act of producing materials and goods. The speed and accuracy with which companies were able to make products had an almost atomic e�ect on the world. Those who were unable to keep up were quickly swallowed by the changing technological tide. The Second Industrial Revolution displaced water- and steam-powered machines with electric power and, combined with division of labor, gave rise to a new era of mass production. Companies that were unable to make the shift were pushed to the side. Following the same pattern, the Third Industrial Revolution did the same thingwhen it took automated production to the next level via electronic and informational technologies.

Much of the world is currently witnessing the Fourth Industrial Revolution, otherwise known as the Internet of Things (IoT). Like those before it , this revolution has the potential to boost global income levels, increase productivity and improve quality of life across the globe. However, unlike the revolutions that preceded it, the IoT is characterized not by any select technology, but by a technological synthesis of digital, physical and biological systems. Understandably, this new set of systems is putting increasing demands on legacy communication networks and sparking the need for new Internet protocol (IP) networks. In tandem with IoT

(also known as the IP Transition), analog Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) are being phased out and replaced by IP networks to obtain improved signal quality, increased speeds, longer lifecycles and reduced overall maintenance. A portion of this IP Transition is focused on assets such as fax machines, monitoring equipment and phones that still rely on analog networks despite the carrier’s migration to digital networks.

What is Analog vs Digital?The introduction of wireless and/or cellular technology in the 1990s has steadily replaced analog phone lines to the point that , according to Harvard Business Review, as few as 20% of homes use analog lines today. As a result, in 2014 the FCC began asking carriers to submit research proposals. The goal was to test and find e�ective ways to help migrate customers away from analog networks . In July, the FCC made an announcement allowing network operators to shift

away from legacy networks to IP-based services more quickly and e�ciently than before. Legacy

copper line networks, according to a 2013 report released by Bell Labs, are poised to sunset in 2025. Previous regulations made the trans i t ion cumbersome and d i�cu l t for the network operators to make the switch, which may have negatively impacted customers in terms of pricing, signal strength and availability. Under the

new guidelines, operators can have their applications automatically granted as long

as they can prov ide comparab le network performance metrics, ensure access to 911 services

and confirm that their services are compatible with home security systems, medical devices, credit card readers and fax machines.

Just as each revolution improved or evolved the technology of previous i terat ions , the IP Trans it ion has been replacing legacy analog phone lines in favor of digital lines.

In the past, analog phone lines have ruled over the communications sector due to the role played by phone companies in data transmission. Analog l ines, also referred to as “Plain Old Telephone Service” (POTS), transmit information by modulating continuous signals (i.e. voice and video). Analog lines support a multitude of devices and machines, including standard home phones, fax machines and modems, and are typically found in hospitals, pharmacies, homes and small o�ces. The remaining analog customers largely consist of older residents in rural areas. Digital lines, which are more prominent in larger corporate o�ces, b reak the s igna l s in to b i t s o f data expressed in b inary code. Despite analog lines being part of the “OldGuard” communication technologies, d ig i ta l t ransmiss ion holds strong advantages, such as improved line quality and increased data capacity.

Analog circuits require amplifiers which add distortion and noise to the signal, resulting in transmission errors. In comparison, digital amplifiers regenerate signals, exactly and eliminate cumulative errors. With digital amplifiers, incoming signals are sampled, their value determined, and a new signal is generated from the bit value—whereas analog signals amplify both the noise and the data values. In addition to noise-related interruptions, analog line signals also have limited data capacity. Since digital lines transform the signal into binary code, this allows for more data to be transmitted. Because of this, Internet-based and wireless technologies have now been embraced as the best option to handle the exploding level of demand for voice, video and data transmission.

The Pain of ProgressLooking back, the confusion, struggles and challenges associated with the transition from the old to the new can get glossed over in favor of the positives. With the Fourth Industrial Revolution (the first three consisting of the construction of railroads across the U.S., the introduction of the telegraph and the Internet, respectively) we are reminded of the di�culties in moving to a new paradigm. And because adopting new technologies can be di�cult, many forego their window of opportunity and wait too long to join the march towards progress. Technical disruptions are best leveraged by the forward-thinking and adaptable —and the IP Transition is no exception.

Similar to the 2G cellular network sunset, where cellular customers needed to migrate o� of 2G technology and onto faster networks, the IP Transition is a series of advancements where packets of IP-based communications replace traditional analog signals. Both businesses and end users will migrate from POTS towards IP and wireless communications over the next decade. Some of the challenges included in this transition are migration expense, coverage, back-up battery requirements, and overcoming the bias of obsolescence.

ExpenseAlthough implementing any type of new service or process comes with a price tag, the price of passivity is much steeper than moving forward with new technology. For instance, analog communication data lines, according to James Brehm & Associates, already cost between 4 and 10 times more to run than cellular lines — and are expected to double in price in the near future.

The majority of those costs have to do with maintenance. According to Larry Downes, Internet industry analyst and

project director of The Georgetown Center for Business and Public Policy, nearly 50% of wireline

expenses went towards maintenance in 2013. Current operating expenses for IP networks

can be as much as 90% less than operating costs for POTS lines. Copper lines also have shorter lifecycles when compared to fiber lines and are more expensive to install and or replace.

Coverage Another challenge to the analog-to-

digital migration arises from the enormous scale on which it’s occurring. It’s occurring

on a global scale and both urban and rural residents are a�ected. Residents and businesses

in rural areas still heavily rely on traditional copper networks and phone lines in order to conduct business

and go about their daily lives as wireless coverage may be inconsistent. As analog networks phase out, broadband and wireless networks are filling in to improve coverage. Rural customers still need a reliable communication lifeline.

Back-up Battery RequirementsAs carriers continue to sunset POTS lines, there have been concerns surrounding failover systems for certain equipment that must remain connected at all times, including access to 911 and other emergency services. Traditional analog networks provide a level of security that digital lines sometimes cannot currently provide during emergencies. The FCC encourages network providers to inform businesses on ways to back-up their assets. This is primarily resolved through back-up batteries or generators that can switch on during emergency situations and or outages. However, some of these back-up batteries need to have a wireline connection. In order to smooth over the transition for users, the FCC requires all consumer applications shifting from analog to digital lines to be able to provide access to emergency services at all times.

Overcoming the Bias of ObsolescenceThe FCC’s recent push for the IP Transition to be completed by 2025 is most likely a generous valuation of the expected timeline. The analog-to-digital migration has begun and there are several opportunities for businesses to make a graceful transition to wireless communications using analog-to-wireless converters, which can be obtained from trusted hardware providers like MultiTech.

MultiTech Makes the Analog-to-Digital Transition EasyThe nature of revolutions is to be disruptive, breaking down the Old in favor of building up the New. You need to fo l low indust ry l eaders that have weathered multiple revolutions within the communications space to make this transition a smooth one. MultiTech relies on a 45-year industry track record of excellence in Machine-to-Machine (M2M) Communications and IoT. MultiTech continues to deepen its experience in both analog and cellular tech-nologies, and also leads in providing Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN™) equipment . Mult iTech o�ers a broad line of Industrial IoT (IIoT) connectivity hardware, in both boxed and embedded form factors. These include routers, modems, gateways and modules. R e l y i n g o n i t s d e e p l y tenured team of engineers, MultiTech o�ers safe passage to those seeking to transition towards the New, and has successfully helped many companies cycle through di�erent technological revolutions many times over.

A transition doesn’t have to require a complete redesign of expensive assets in the field. Analog-to-wireless converters allow the asset to continue operating in the field as before, but change the communication technology to a cellular transmission, instead of a point to point analog transmission. MultiTech o�ers a unique analog-to-digital converter which can reduce your communication costs.

The MultiConnect® AW analog to wireless converter allows the field equipment to continuing working

e�ciently and e�ectively within a cellular environment. Customers are not only able to keep their assets in-field and operational, but they can also save money on lower ongoing operational communication costs. Ultimately, the AW converter is a stepping stone which allows customers to keep their assets in the field longer, whi le

transitioning to a full cellular platform.

Use CasesThe magnitude on which this IP Transition is happening

has an impact at both the home and business level. However, the MultiTech Analog to Wireless converters can be utilized as a transition product in the analog to digital migration. Some of the use cases include end users, medical devices, telecommunications and monitoring equipment.

HealthcareThe healthcare industry is being a�ected by the IP Transition. One of the obstacles blocking healthcare institutions from transitioning to using digital devices is the cost-prohibitive nature of medical equipment redesign. The healthcare industry is highly regulated and the approval cycles are long. Many home medical monitoring devices continue to transmit data on POTS lines. As POTS lines becomes harder to procure and rise in cost, and transmission quality su�ers, o�ering an analog to cellular converter makes sense. It al lows the medical equipment to stay in the home but moves the data transmission o� POTS lines and onto to a cellular data network for transmission.

End usersDaily life is increasingly lived online and businesses have taken notice and begun to respond accordingly. For example: some apartment complexes have begun requiring residents to pay for rent and/or utilities through a company website. However, that doesn’t mean that analog line services aren’t still needed in the home. Traditional analog dial up landlines are still used in some homes throughout the U.S., primarily in rural areas and among older users. Analog lines are also used in Point Of Sale (POS) terminals and kiosks, such as ATMs, gas pumps, and in-home security systems.

End users are also a�ected by their telecomm and broad-band providers. Broadband telecommunications and cable providers have been o�ering bundled services for customers. These bundles include cable, phone, Internet and security services rolled up into one bill and through one broadband network. This provides convenience to the customers and

reduces cost overall for the carriers. However, then customers are reliant on a single IP network and

subject to network congestion and other issues. Generally a back-up battery system

is needed to ensure 911 services are available during an outage.

Moving ForwardHistory has proven that innovation will overturn the status quo and force the world to reassess its processes. While the sun may set on one technology,

another will rise. Businesses can rest assured that companies like MultiTech

will remain steady throughout the innovation and continue to provide dedicated service

and quality to clients. Technological challenges will continue to be solved by MultiTech engineers

as they have proven many times over. By selecting a trusted partner like MultiTech, one with a decades-long track record and an extensive portfolio of successful technology migration programs, companies can get a deeper understanding of what is occurring and how to best solve these challenges until this revolution is like those before it, just a thing of the past.

“Both businesses

and end users will migrate from POTS

towards IP & wireless communications

over the next decade.”

The advent of new technologies or innovative processes always push the edges of Progress. The Stone Age provided improved tools ; the Bronze Age added unprecedented strength, and the Iron Age fostered unparalleled advancements in material sciences. All of these compounded and, ultimately, led up to the First Industrial Revolution. The world has since witnessed the Second, Third and now a Fourth Industrial Revolution. At the heart of this advancement is the near-obsessive commitment to new digital technologies.

The First Industrial Revolution, largely driven by water- and steam-power, resulted in the mechanization of production— the act of producing materials and goods. The speed and accuracy with which companies were able to make products had an almost atomic e�ect on the world. Those who were unable to keep up were quickly swallowed by the changing technological tide. The Second Industrial Revolution displaced water- and steam-powered machines with electric power and, combined with division of labor, gave rise to a new era of mass production. Companies that were unable to make the shift were pushed to the side. Following the same pattern, the Third Industrial Revolution did the same thingwhen it took automated production to the next level via electronic and informational technologies.

Much of the world is currently witnessing the Fourth Industrial Revolution, otherwise known as the Internet of Things (IoT). Like those before it , this revolution has the potential to boost global income levels, increase productivity and improve quality of life across the globe. However, unlike the revolutions that preceded it, the IoT is characterized not by any select technology, but by a technological synthesis of digital, physical and biological systems. Understandably, this new set of systems is putting increasing demands on legacy communication networks and sparking the need for new Internet protocol (IP) networks. In tandem with IoT

(also known as the IP Transition), analog Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) are being phased out and replaced by IP networks to obtain improved signal quality, increased speeds, longer lifecycles and reduced overall maintenance. A portion of this IP Transition is focused on assets such as fax machines, monitoring equipment and phones that still rely on analog networks despite the carrier’s migration to digital networks.

What is Analog vs Digital?The introduction of wireless and/or cellular technology in the 1990s has steadily replaced analog phone lines to the point that , according to Harvard Business Review, as few as 20% of homes use analog lines today. As a result, in 2014 the FCC began asking carriers to submit research proposals. The goal was to test and find e�ective ways to help migrate customers away from analog networks . In July, the FCC made an announcement allowing network operators to shift

away from legacy networks to IP-based services more quickly and e�ciently than before. Legacy

copper line networks, according to a 2013 report released by Bell Labs, are poised to sunset in 2025. Previous regulations made the trans i t ion cumbersome and d i�cu l t for the network operators to make the switch, which may have negatively impacted customers in terms of pricing, signal strength and availability. Under the

new guidelines, operators can have their applications automatically granted as long

as they can prov ide comparab le network performance metrics, ensure access to 911 services

and confirm that their services are compatible with home security systems, medical devices, credit card readers and fax machines.

Just as each revolution improved or evolved the technology of previous i terat ions , the IP Trans it ion has been replacing legacy analog phone lines in favor of digital lines.

In the past, analog phone lines have ruled over the communications sector due to the role played by phone companies in data transmission. Analog l ines, also referred to as “Plain Old Telephone Service” (POTS), transmit information by modulating continuous signals (i.e. voice and video). Analog lines support a multitude of devices and machines, including standard home phones, fax machines and modems, and are typically found in hospitals, pharmacies, homes and small o�ces. The remaining analog customers largely consist of older residents in rural areas. Digital lines, which are more prominent in larger corporate o�ces, b reak the s igna l s in to b i t s o f data expressed in b inary code. Despite analog lines being part of the “OldGuard” communication technologies, d ig i ta l t ransmiss ion holds strong advantages, such as improved line quality and increased data capacity.

Analog circuits require amplifiers which add distortion and noise to the signal, resulting in transmission errors. In comparison, digital amplifiers regenerate signals, exactly and eliminate cumulative errors. With digital amplifiers, incoming signals are sampled, their value determined, and a new signal is generated from the bit value—whereas analog signals amplify both the noise and the data values. In addition to noise-related interruptions, analog line signals also have limited data capacity. Since digital lines transform the signal into binary code, this allows for more data to be transmitted. Because of this, Internet-based and wireless technologies have now been embraced as the best option to handle the exploding level of demand for voice, video and data transmission.

The Pain of ProgressLooking back, the confusion, struggles and challenges associated with the transition from the old to the new can get glossed over in favor of the positives. With the Fourth Industrial Revolution (the first three consisting of the construction of railroads across the U.S., the introduction of the telegraph and the Internet, respectively) we are reminded of the di�culties in moving to a new paradigm. And because adopting new technologies can be di�cult, many forego their window of opportunity and wait too long to join the march towards progress. Technical disruptions are best leveraged by the forward-thinking and adaptable —and the IP Transition is no exception.

Similar to the 2G cellular network sunset, where cellular customers needed to migrate o� of 2G technology and onto faster networks, the IP Transition is a series of advancements where packets of IP-based communications replace traditional analog signals. Both businesses and end users will migrate from POTS towards IP and wireless communications over the next decade. Some of the challenges included in this transition are migration expense, coverage, back-up battery requirements, and overcoming the bias of obsolescence.

ExpenseAlthough implementing any type of new service or process comes with a price tag, the price of passivity is much steeper than moving forward with new technology. For instance, analog communication data lines, according to James Brehm & Associates, already cost between 4 and 10 times more to run than cellular lines — and are expected to double in price in the near future.

The majority of those costs have to do with maintenance. According to Larry Downes, Internet industry analyst and

project director of The Georgetown Center for Business and Public Policy, nearly 50% of wireline

expenses went towards maintenance in 2013. Current operating expenses for IP networks

can be as much as 90% less than operating costs for POTS lines. Copper lines also have shorter lifecycles when compared to fiber lines and are more expensive to install and or replace.

Coverage Another challenge to the analog-to-

digital migration arises from the enormous scale on which it’s occurring. It’s occurring

on a global scale and both urban and rural residents are a�ected. Residents and businesses

in rural areas still heavily rely on traditional copper networks and phone lines in order to conduct business

and go about their daily lives as wireless coverage may be inconsistent. As analog networks phase out, broadband and wireless networks are filling in to improve coverage. Rural customers still need a reliable communication lifeline.

Back-up Battery RequirementsAs carriers continue to sunset POTS lines, there have been concerns surrounding failover systems for certain equipment that must remain connected at all times, including access to 911 and other emergency services. Traditional analog networks provide a level of security that digital lines sometimes cannot currently provide during emergencies. The FCC encourages network providers to inform businesses on ways to back-up their assets. This is primarily resolved through back-up batteries or generators that can switch on during emergency situations and or outages. However, some of these back-up batteries need to have a wireline connection. In order to smooth over the transition for users, the FCC requires all consumer applications shifting from analog to digital lines to be able to provide access to emergency services at all times.

Overcoming the Bias of ObsolescenceThe FCC’s recent push for the IP Transition to be completed by 2025 is most likely a generous valuation of the expected timeline. The analog-to-digital migration has begun and there are several opportunities for businesses to make a graceful transition to wireless communications using analog-to-wireless converters, which can be obtained from trusted hardware providers like MultiTech.

MultiTech Makes the Analog-to-Digital Transition EasyThe nature of revolutions is to be disruptive, breaking down the Old in favor of building up the New. You need to fo l low indust ry l eaders that have weathered multiple revolutions within the communications space to make this transition a smooth one. MultiTech relies on a 45-year industry track record of excellence in Machine-to-Machine (M2M) Communications and IoT. MultiTech continues to deepen its experience in both analog and cellular tech-nologies, and also leads in providing Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN™) equipment . Mult iTech o�ers a broad line of Industrial IoT (IIoT) connectivity hardware, in both boxed and embedded form factors. These include routers, modems, gateways and modules. R e l y i n g o n i t s d e e p l y tenured team of engineers, MultiTech o�ers safe passage to those seeking to transition towards the New, and has successfully helped many companies cycle through di�erent technological revolutions many times over.

A transition doesn’t have to require a complete redesign of expensive assets in the field. Analog-to-wireless converters allow the asset to continue operating in the field as before, but change the communication technology to a cellular transmission, instead of a point to point analog transmission. MultiTech o�ers a unique analog-to-digital converter which can reduce your communication costs.

The MultiConnect® AW analog to wireless converter allows the field equipment to continuing working

e�ciently and e�ectively within a cellular environment. Customers are not only able to keep their assets in-field and operational, but they can also save money on lower ongoing operational communication costs. Ultimately, the AW converter is a stepping stone which allows customers to keep their assets in the field longer, whi le

transitioning to a full cellular platform.

Use CasesThe magnitude on which this IP Transition is happening

has an impact at both the home and business level. However, the MultiTech Analog to Wireless converters can be utilized as a transition product in the analog to digital migration. Some of the use cases include end users, medical devices, telecommunications and monitoring equipment.

HealthcareThe healthcare industry is being a�ected by the IP Transition. One of the obstacles blocking healthcare institutions from transitioning to using digital devices is the cost-prohibitive nature of medical equipment redesign. The healthcare industry is highly regulated and the approval cycles are long. Many home medical monitoring devices continue to transmit data on POTS lines. As POTS lines becomes harder to procure and rise in cost, and transmission quality su�ers, o�ering an analog to cellular converter makes sense. It al lows the medical equipment to stay in the home but moves the data transmission o� POTS lines and onto to a cellular data network for transmission.

End usersDaily life is increasingly lived online and businesses have taken notice and begun to respond accordingly. For example: some apartment complexes have begun requiring residents to pay for rent and/or utilities through a company website. However, that doesn’t mean that analog line services aren’t still needed in the home. Traditional analog dial up landlines are still used in some homes throughout the U.S., primarily in rural areas and among older users. Analog lines are also used in Point Of Sale (POS) terminals and kiosks, such as ATMs, gas pumps, and in-home security systems.

End users are also a�ected by their telecomm and broad-band providers. Broadband telecommunications and cable providers have been o�ering bundled services for customers. These bundles include cable, phone, Internet and security services rolled up into one bill and through one broadband network. This provides convenience to the customers and

reduces cost overall for the carriers. However, then customers are reliant on a single IP network and

subject to network congestion and other issues. Generally a back-up battery system

is needed to ensure 911 services are available during an outage.

Moving ForwardHistory has proven that innovation will overturn the status quo and force the world to reassess its processes. While the sun may set on one technology,

another will rise. Businesses can rest assured that companies like MultiTech

will remain steady throughout the innovation and continue to provide dedicated service

and quality to clients. Technological challenges will continue to be solved by MultiTech engineers

as they have proven many times over. By selecting a trusted partner like MultiTech, one with a decades-long track record and an extensive portfolio of successful technology migration programs, companies can get a deeper understanding of what is occurring and how to best solve these challenges until this revolution is like those before it, just a thing of the past.

“MultiTech o�ers safe passage to

those seeking to transition towards the

New.”

Traditional Analog Configuration Sunsetting

Asset Management

Platform

Wireless DataServiceProvider

RJ-11Connection

MultiConnect® AW Converter

Real-TimeManagement

Alerts

Reports

Energy

Financial / Retail

Healthcare

Remote Monitoring

AFTER

Insight + Action + Control

Asset Management

Platform

AnalogModem

Bank

Devices & Data withAnalog Modems

Real-TimeManagement

Alerts

Reports

Energy

Financial / Retail

Healthcare

Remote Monitoring

PSTN(Public Switched Telephone Network)

CONNECT WITH MULTITECH

World Headquarters

Multi-Tech Systems, Inc.2205 Woodale DriveMounds View, MN 55112 U.S.A.Tel: 763-785-3500 Toll-Free: 800-328-9717Email: sales@multitech.comwww.multitech.com

EMEA Headquarters

Multi-Tech Systems (EMEA)Strata House264-270 Bath RoadHarlington UB3 5JJ U.K.Tel: +(44) 118 959 7774Email: sales@multitech.co.ukwww.multitech.co.uk

The advent of new technologies or innovative processes always push the edges of Progress. The Stone Age provided improved tools ; the Bronze Age added unprecedented strength, and the Iron Age fostered unparalleled advancements in material sciences. All of these compounded and, ultimately, led up to the First Industrial Revolution. The world has since witnessed the Second, Third and now a Fourth Industrial Revolution. At the heart of this advancement is the near-obsessive commitment to new digital technologies.

The First Industrial Revolution, largely driven by water- and steam-power, resulted in the mechanization of production— the act of producing materials and goods. The speed and accuracy with which companies were able to make products had an almost atomic e�ect on the world. Those who were unable to keep up were quickly swallowed by the changing technological tide. The Second Industrial Revolution displaced water- and steam-powered machines with electric power and, combined with division of labor, gave rise to a new era of mass production. Companies that were unable to make the shift were pushed to the side. Following the same pattern, the Third Industrial Revolution did the same thingwhen it took automated production to the next level via electronic and informational technologies.

Much of the world is currently witnessing the Fourth Industrial Revolution, otherwise known as the Internet of Things (IoT). Like those before it , this revolution has the potential to boost global income levels, increase productivity and improve quality of life across the globe. However, unlike the revolutions that preceded it, the IoT is characterized not by any select technology, but by a technological synthesis of digital, physical and biological systems. Understandably, this new set of systems is putting increasing demands on legacy communication networks and sparking the need for new Internet protocol (IP) networks. In tandem with IoT

(also known as the IP Transition), analog Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) are being phased out and replaced by IP networks to obtain improved signal quality, increased speeds, longer lifecycles and reduced overall maintenance. A portion of this IP Transition is focused on assets such as fax machines, monitoring equipment and phones that still rely on analog networks despite the carrier’s migration to digital networks.

What is Analog vs Digital?The introduction of wireless and/or cellular technology in the 1990s has steadily replaced analog phone lines to the point that , according to Harvard Business Review, as few as 20% of homes use analog lines today. As a result, in 2014 the FCC began asking carriers to submit research proposals. The goal was to test and find e�ective ways to help migrate customers away from analog networks . In July, the FCC made an announcement allowing network operators to shift

away from legacy networks to IP-based services more quickly and e�ciently than before. Legacy

copper line networks, according to a 2013 report released by Bell Labs, are poised to sunset in 2025. Previous regulations made the trans i t ion cumbersome and d i�cu l t for the network operators to make the switch, which may have negatively impacted customers in terms of pricing, signal strength and availability. Under the

new guidelines, operators can have their applications automatically granted as long

as they can prov ide comparab le network performance metrics, ensure access to 911 services

and confirm that their services are compatible with home security systems, medical devices, credit card readers and fax machines.

Just as each revolution improved or evolved the technology of previous i terat ions , the IP Trans it ion has been replacing legacy analog phone lines in favor of digital lines.

In the past, analog phone lines have ruled over the communications sector due to the role played by phone companies in data transmission. Analog l ines, also referred to as “Plain Old Telephone Service” (POTS), transmit information by modulating continuous signals (i.e. voice and video). Analog lines support a multitude of devices and machines, including standard home phones, fax machines and modems, and are typically found in hospitals, pharmacies, homes and small o�ces. The remaining analog customers largely consist of older residents in rural areas. Digital lines, which are more prominent in larger corporate o�ces, b reak the s igna l s in to b i t s o f data expressed in b inary code. Despite analog lines being part of the “OldGuard” communication technologies, d ig i ta l t ransmiss ion holds strong advantages, such as improved line quality and increased data capacity.

Analog circuits require amplifiers which add distortion and noise to the signal, resulting in transmission errors. In comparison, digital amplifiers regenerate signals, exactly and eliminate cumulative errors. With digital amplifiers, incoming signals are sampled, their value determined, and a new signal is generated from the bit value—whereas analog signals amplify both the noise and the data values. In addition to noise-related interruptions, analog line signals also have limited data capacity. Since digital lines transform the signal into binary code, this allows for more data to be transmitted. Because of this, Internet-based and wireless technologies have now been embraced as the best option to handle the exploding level of demand for voice, video and data transmission.

The Pain of ProgressLooking back, the confusion, struggles and challenges associated with the transition from the old to the new can get glossed over in favor of the positives. With the Fourth Industrial Revolution (the first three consisting of the construction of railroads across the U.S., the introduction of the telegraph and the Internet, respectively) we are reminded of the di�culties in moving to a new paradigm. And because adopting new technologies can be di�cult, many forego their window of opportunity and wait too long to join the march towards progress. Technical disruptions are best leveraged by the forward-thinking and adaptable —and the IP Transition is no exception.

Similar to the 2G cellular network sunset, where cellular customers needed to migrate o� of 2G technology and onto faster networks, the IP Transition is a series of advancements where packets of IP-based communications replace traditional analog signals. Both businesses and end users will migrate from POTS towards IP and wireless communications over the next decade. Some of the challenges included in this transition are migration expense, coverage, back-up battery requirements, and overcoming the bias of obsolescence.

ExpenseAlthough implementing any type of new service or process comes with a price tag, the price of passivity is much steeper than moving forward with new technology. For instance, analog communication data lines, according to James Brehm & Associates, already cost between 4 and 10 times more to run than cellular lines — and are expected to double in price in the near future.

The majority of those costs have to do with maintenance. According to Larry Downes, Internet industry analyst and

project director of The Georgetown Center for Business and Public Policy, nearly 50% of wireline

expenses went towards maintenance in 2013. Current operating expenses for IP networks

can be as much as 90% less than operating costs for POTS lines. Copper lines also have shorter lifecycles when compared to fiber lines and are more expensive to install and or replace.

Coverage Another challenge to the analog-to-

digital migration arises from the enormous scale on which it’s occurring. It’s occurring

on a global scale and both urban and rural residents are a�ected. Residents and businesses

in rural areas still heavily rely on traditional copper networks and phone lines in order to conduct business

and go about their daily lives as wireless coverage may be inconsistent. As analog networks phase out, broadband and wireless networks are filling in to improve coverage. Rural customers still need a reliable communication lifeline.

Back-up Battery RequirementsAs carriers continue to sunset POTS lines, there have been concerns surrounding failover systems for certain equipment that must remain connected at all times, including access to 911 and other emergency services. Traditional analog networks provide a level of security that digital lines sometimes cannot currently provide during emergencies. The FCC encourages network providers to inform businesses on ways to back-up their assets. This is primarily resolved through back-up batteries or generators that can switch on during emergency situations and or outages. However, some of these back-up batteries need to have a wireline connection. In order to smooth over the transition for users, the FCC requires all consumer applications shifting from analog to digital lines to be able to provide access to emergency services at all times.

Overcoming the Bias of ObsolescenceThe FCC’s recent push for the IP Transition to be completed by 2025 is most likely a generous valuation of the expected timeline. The analog-to-digital migration has begun and there are several opportunities for businesses to make a graceful transition to wireless communications using analog-to-wireless converters, which can be obtained from trusted hardware providers like MultiTech.

MultiTech Makes the Analog-to-Digital Transition EasyThe nature of revolutions is to be disruptive, breaking down the Old in favor of building up the New. You need to fo l low indust ry l eaders that have weathered multiple revolutions within the communications space to make this transition a smooth one. MultiTech relies on a 45-year industry track record of excellence in Machine-to-Machine (M2M) Communications and IoT. MultiTech continues to deepen its experience in both analog and cellular tech-nologies, and also leads in providing Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN™) equipment . Mult iTech o�ers a broad line of Industrial IoT (IIoT) connectivity hardware, in both boxed and embedded form factors. These include routers, modems, gateways and modules. R e l y i n g o n i t s d e e p l y tenured team of engineers, MultiTech o�ers safe passage to those seeking to transition towards the New, and has successfully helped many companies cycle through di�erent technological revolutions many times over.

A transition doesn’t have to require a complete redesign of expensive assets in the field. Analog-to-wireless converters allow the asset to continue operating in the field as before, but change the communication technology to a cellular transmission, instead of a point to point analog transmission. MultiTech o�ers a unique analog-to-digital converter which can reduce your communication costs.

The MultiConnect® AW analog to wireless converter allows the field equipment to continuing working

e�ciently and e�ectively within a cellular environment. Customers are not only able to keep their assets in-field and operational, but they can also save money on lower ongoing operational communication costs. Ultimately, the AW converter is a stepping stone which allows customers to keep their assets in the field longer, whi le

transitioning to a full cellular platform.

Use CasesThe magnitude on which this IP Transition is happening

has an impact at both the home and business level. However, the MultiTech Analog to Wireless converters can be utilized as a transition product in the analog to digital migration. Some of the use cases include end users, medical devices, telecommunications and monitoring equipment.

HealthcareThe healthcare industry is being a�ected by the IP Transition. One of the obstacles blocking healthcare institutions from transitioning to using digital devices is the cost-prohibitive nature of medical equipment redesign. The healthcare industry is highly regulated and the approval cycles are long. Many home medical monitoring devices continue to transmit data on POTS lines. As POTS lines becomes harder to procure and rise in cost, and transmission quality su�ers, o�ering an analog to cellular converter makes sense. It al lows the medical equipment to stay in the home but moves the data transmission o� POTS lines and onto to a cellular data network for transmission.

End usersDaily life is increasingly lived online and businesses have taken notice and begun to respond accordingly. For example: some apartment complexes have begun requiring residents to pay for rent and/or utilities through a company website. However, that doesn’t mean that analog line services aren’t still needed in the home. Traditional analog dial up landlines are still used in some homes throughout the U.S., primarily in rural areas and among older users. Analog lines are also used in Point Of Sale (POS) terminals and kiosks, such as ATMs, gas pumps, and in-home security systems.

End users are also a�ected by their telecomm and broad-band providers. Broadband telecommunications and cable providers have been o�ering bundled services for customers. These bundles include cable, phone, Internet and security services rolled up into one bill and through one broadband network. This provides convenience to the customers and

reduces cost overall for the carriers. However, then customers are reliant on a single IP network and

subject to network congestion and other issues. Generally a back-up battery system

is needed to ensure 911 services are available during an outage.

Moving ForwardHistory has proven that innovation will overturn the status quo and force the world to reassess its processes. While the sun may set on one technology,

another will rise. Businesses can rest assured that companies like MultiTech

will remain steady throughout the innovation and continue to provide dedicated service

and quality to clients. Technological challenges will continue to be solved by MultiTech engineers

as they have proven many times over. By selecting a trusted partner like MultiTech, one with a decades-long track record and an extensive portfolio of successful technology migration programs, companies can get a deeper understanding of what is occurring and how to best solve these challenges until this revolution is like those before it, just a thing of the past.

Trademarks and Registered Trademarks: MultiTech and the MultiTech logo, MultiConnect: Multi-Tech Systems, Inc. All other products and technologies are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Features and specifications are subject to change without notice.

2016-10 • 86003001 • © 2016 Multi-Tech Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

“Analog data lines already

cost between 4 and 10 times more to run

than cellular lines, and are expected to double

in price within the near future.”

James Brehm & Associates

Sources:1. “PSTN Industry Analysis and Service Provider Strategies: Synopsis” Acatel-Lucent. 2013-04. Retrieved 2016-08-01.http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/consultations/nmr-2013/responses/BT_annex_5.pdf

2. Downes, Larry “The End of the Wired Telephone Network is Coming...But Not Soon Enough” Forbes. 10-30-2013. Retrieved 2016-08-01.http://www.forbes.com/sites/larrydownes/2013/10/30/the-end-of-the-wired-telephone-network-is-coming-but-not-soon-enough/#12dbc8fb51e0