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                                                       DA 97-1548

                            Before the
                FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
                     Washington, D.C.  20554


In the Matter of                             )
                                        )
Sentry Alarms Systems of America, Inc.,                )
NSS National Security Service, Inc.,              )
Automatic Detection Systems, Inc., and                 )    File No. ETC-97-10
Allied Alarms, Inc., Consolidated Application          )
for a Determination of Exempt Telecommunications  )
Company Status under Section 34 of the Public Utility  )
Holding Company Act of 1935, as added by          )
Section 103 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 )    

                              ORDER

     Adopted: July 21, 1997                  Released: July 21, 1997


By the General Counsel:


     1.   On June 5, 1997, Sentry Alarms Systems of America, Inc., NSS National Security
Service, Inc., Automatic Detection Systems, Inc. and Allied Alarms, Inc. (and collectively,
"Applicants") filed a consolidated application with the Commission for a determination that each
is an "exempt telecommunications company" ("ETC") pursuant to section 34(a)(1) of the Public
Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 ("PUHCA"), as added by section 103 of the
Telecommunications Act of 1996.  Applicants' consolidated application was placed on public
notice for comment on the adequacy and accuracy of the representations contained therein on
June 10, 1997.  Sentry Alarm Systems of America et al., Public Notice, DA No. 97-1219 (OGC
rel. June 10, 1997).  No comments were filed in response to the public notice.  As explained
below, each Applicant individually satisfies the statutory criteria required for an affirmative
determination of ETC status and the consolidated application is, therefore, granted. 

     2.   Sentry Alarms Systems of America, Inc. ("Sentry Alarms") is a Delaware
corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sentry Management Corporation.  Sentry
Management is a wholly-owned ETC subsidiary of Entergy Technology Holding Company,
which is also an ETC.

     3.   NSS National Security Service, Inc. is a Delaware corporation and is jointly
owned by Entergy Technology Holding Company (13%) and 280 Security Holdings, Inc. (87%). 
The Commission has determined previously that 280 Security Holdings, Inc. is an ETC.  280
Holdings is currently wholly-owned by Entergy Technology Holding Company.

     4.   Automatic Detection Systems, Inc. is a Delaware corporation and a wholly-
owned subsidiary of NSS National Security Service, Inc.

     5.   Allied Alarms, Inc. is an Alabama corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Automatic Detection Systems, Inc.
     
     6.   In the consolidated application, each of the Applicants represent that it will be
engaged, directly or indirectly through one or more "affiliates," as defined in Section 2(a)(11)(b)
of PUHCA, and exclusively in the business of providing telecommunications services,
information services, other services or products subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission,
and/or products or services that are related or incidental to the provision of such products or
services, within the meaning of Section 34(a)(1) of PUHCA.  Specifically, each Applicant states
that it is exclusively engaged in the business of providing alarm monitoring and response
services, and/or activities related or incidental to the provision of such services.  The
consolidated application further indicates that Sentry Alarms -- through its affiliate Sonitrol
Southeast, Inc. -- also sells alarm services franchises to, and collects resultant franchise royalties
from, franchisees in the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina, and
South Carolina.

     7.   Based upon the representations contained in the consolidated application, each
Applicant respectively meets the statutory requirements for a determination that it is an exempt
telecommunications company as that term is defined in PUHCA section 34(a)(1), as amended.

     8.   Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that the consolidated application of Sentry Alarms
et al. IS GRANTED.  IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Securities and Exchange
Commission SHALL BE NOTIFIED of this determination.



                         FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION



                         William E. Kennard
                         General Counsel