Alarm system and telephone lines

What kind of alarm system communication is better?

Many people are choosing to abandon their conventional phone lines for newer, more robust solutions offered through mobile phone companies or the Internet. But do these modern telecommunications technologies work with residential alarm system systems?

In short, yes, new communication systems can work with home alarm systems. However, each service has advantages and disadvantages. Before unplugging your current phone system, check out these frequently asked questions about burglar alarm systems and phone lines from consumers just like you.

Frequently asked questions about alarms

I am thinking of changing my phone service. That I have to do?

The first thing to do is contact your alarm system company. Talk to your company about the impending change and discuss the communication systems that are suitable for your alarm system.

After selecting a new phone service, make another call to your security alarm company to make sure the new service is working properly with your alarm system.

What communications technologies can be obtained for use with security systems?

Thanks to advances in technology, security systems are designed to work with many types of communication solutions. The most popular solutions consist of traditional phone lines, cellular radio, VoIP, and the Web. Let’s explore each service a little more in depth by analyzing the pros and cons.

Conventional telephone lines use a copper line to send the communication signal to the alarm system monitoring company. The phone line is normally used both in the home and in the security alarm system.

Standard telephone line communication for your alarm system

Advantages of a standard phone line

Conventional phone lines are known as the most reputable among the services.

The monitoring service connected by a conventional telephone line can operate during power outages through the power of the telephone company.

Cons of a standard phone line

Conventional phone lines use copper lines, which are vulnerable to both natural and strategic blackouts. (Thief cut phone line)

Since traditional phone lines rely on dial-up access, the connection is slower than other solutions.

Mobile radio signals use wireless digital transmission, just like your cell phone, to transmit alarm signals to the monitoring station.

Cellular communication for your alarm system

Advantages of using cellular communication

Compared to other telephone services, mobile radio can carry more data at a higher speed.

Since the connection is wireless, cellular radio is generally tamper-proof, so deliberate interruptions are rare.

Cons of using cellular communication

Cellular radio devices require power in the home to function. During a power outage, the alarm relies on a backup battery for operation. Backup batteries generally last 2-4 hours.

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) for your alarm system

This is a newer communication service that takes analog audio signals, like the ones you hear when talking on the phone, and converts them into digital data that can be transmitted over the Internet.

Advantages of using VOIP communication

Most traditional residential alarm panels can connect to a VoIP phone system without upgrading any of the panel equipment.

VoIP is typically more cost-effective and feature-rich than other phone services.

Cons of using VOIP communication

Some voice over internet protocol providers use voice compression to reduce the amount of bandwidth required to carry voice traffic, which can cause signal distortion from the home alarm system, effectively disabling monitoring. remote from the system. Choose a provider that uses a Managed Facilities Voice Network (MFVN). MFVN does not use voice compression and is the most compatible with alarm systems.

When using a VoIP system, the power of the telephone line will depend on the power of the house. Depending on your provider, you may lose phone service if there is a power or internet outage.

Internet communication for your alarm system

The Internet offers some of the best features for alarm users when connecting your alarm to the monitoring station via DSL, cable or wireless Internet connections.

Advantages of using Internet communication

Internet services have many functions: you can access cameras, entry systems, lighting, thermostats, and a host of other devices in the home from any web browser.

An alarm connected by an Internet service is always on and connected to the central station.

Cons of using internet communication

The Internet lacks reliability for security applications, as it also requires power and Internet connectivity at home to function.

Alarm systems monitored over the Internet require specific hardware to allow connection, so an updated panel will be required.

Many ISPs use throttling during peak hours to allow proper usage for all of their customers. Strangulation can cause unpredictable problems with alarm signals.

How reliable are the services?

Ultimately, standard phone lines still offer the most reliable service for alarm communications, but they lack the speed and features of newer technologies. Mobile telephony and VoIP can offer almost the same level of reliability as traditional telephone lines if the battery units are well maintained in your home. The Internet, while offering the most feature-rich design, is the least reliable communication method and should only be used as a medium for communications and complementary functions, not as the sole alarm communication method.

For the most reliable and secure alarm communication system, consider combining two services in one unit. You can use a traditional telephone line or VoIP as the primary method of communication and cellular radio as the secondary communication. In the event that the main communication is interrupted, the system will still communicate with the alarm monitoring station via cellular radio.