KIRKSVILLE, MO. -- You've heard us talking about the upcoming digital television transition on February 17 for awhile now.

But there's also a cellular digital transition that may affect your cell phone coming up too. The cellular digital switch isn't related to the digital television transition, however, it's important you're prepared for it, or your cell phone may not work.

When it comes to your phone's digital transition, it all depends on which cell phone provider you use. 

“Last year actually the FCC gave permission to wireless providers to stop analog services. Many carriers elected immediately to do that. February of last year many of them took their analog, their old services down. U.S. Cellular elected to keep our analog services going just so we would have time to develop a solid communications plan,” said U.S. Cellular Business Manager Teri Twyman.

U.S. Cellular is making the transition to all digital service on February 10. Experts say the majority of people are already using digital devices, but there are still some analog phones out there.

There are three easy ways to tell if you phone is ready for the switch.

“If they've purchased their phone since December 2003 they can be assured that they have a digital device. The other thing they can do is check their phone out. If they can send text messages or do Internet browsing, they have a digital device,” said Twyman.

Twyman also says that if your phone has a 1X or EU icon on the screen that means it's a digital device. If your cell phone doesn't meet any of the three criteria that means it's an analog phone and won't work after February 10.

If you have questions about your phone or the cellular digital transition, you should contact your service provider.