In traditional alarm systems, copper phone lines have been used to monitor burglar alarms remotely. Upon being tripped, alarm panels send alarm signals to the monitoring company over the phone, which is often shared with a fax line.
Copper lines are gradually becoming less popular as technology changes and voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) options become more robust and cheaper.
Most people do not realize, however, that switching to a VoIP environment could negatively impact the evolution of alarm monitoring in their business. To make the switch from traditional to VoIP, here are three things you should know.
The internet isn't working, the power isn't on, and there's no alarm system
It's not uncommon for us to experience problems with our internet service at some point in our lives. Network problems, maintenance issues, or even updates could be to blame. Any connection loss happens from time to time, regardless of the reason.
You may not have a backup for your internet connection, even if your alarm panels have a battery backup. The internet is the primary source for digital phones, so in the event of an outage, you are not protected while it is underway. You and your business could be vulnerable to criminals because they know how to exploit this.
There is a lack of VoIP support among alarm panel manufacturers
In the event that you have switched to VoIP, or will be switching to VoIP in the near future, alarm signals may not be transmitted correctly.
It has been reported that virtually all the major manufacturers who are behind the evolution of alarm monitoring, including Honeywell, Bosch, DMP, GE, and many others, are not equipped with VoIP functionality. To ensure that communication can be maintained, manufacturers have created solutions to address the fact that many of their customers are moving to VoIP.
An IP Communicator or cellular communication module is designed specifically for systems that do not require a traditional phone line. Small investments are usually recouped quickly with these.
Your alarm signal may not be recognized by the monitoring center
All of your communication is transformed into data and streamed over the internet when you use a voice over internet protocol phone service. The technology used by digital phone companies varies.
VoIP phone services need to be compatible with your security system to be able to recognize your alarm signal, the monitoring center might not recognize it. If this is the case, you may find yourself vulnerable in times of need, requiring you to upgrade your system in order to remain functional.
If you're uncertain, consult with your security provider so that you can ensure that any changes you make to your home or business won't compromise security. VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) providers and security systems may determine how secure the system is. In the case of the evolution of alarm monitoring, the most important consideration is how the monitoring center communicates with them and how the account gets powered up.
It is common for security systems to communicate with monitoring centers over standard telephone lines. In the same way that a fax machine or dial-up modem makes a buzzing noise, alarm system signals travel along the copper wire as a "sound."
A VoIP connection is similar to a broadband connection; a digital representation of your voice is created at home and distributed over your Internet connection to the other end of the connection. This is done by using slightly different VoIP technologies; these devices may not be compatible with all security systems. When you send an alarm signal from your VoIP service, the monitoring center may not recognize it as an alarm.
The advantage of VoIP for Plain Old Telephone Service is that it has one more important consideration than standard phone lines often called POTS: a power backup system. The moment you lose power to your home, whether it is caused by natural factors or by intentional intruders, the devices in your home will not work if they do not have a battery backup. With the evolution of alarm monitoring, pretty much every security system comes with its own battery backup, and standard telephone lines also work without power, whereas most digital phones and Internet connections do not have a similar backup.
When you cut off the electricity, you cut off the internet connection and the modem or router that connects you to the Internet, which is what VoIP phones use to connect to. Digital phones are also dependent on your home's electric bill; this isn't just a problem for VoIP security systems, either. Digital phone services such as those you get through your Internet, cable, or phone provider, as well as basic phones with wireless features or answering machines, fall under this category.
Conclusion
The majority of traditional home alarm panels are capable of connecting to a VoIP phone system without any hardware upgrades on the panel. A voice over Internet Protocol service is typically more affordable and more feature-rich than a traditional phone service. A security system provider keeps an updated database of the telephone providers located in your area in order to provide you with the protection you need. Qualified Managed Facility Voice Networks are providers of fully compatible telephone systems. A dedicated powered network connection or cellular option may be required for other VoIP security systems. Contact your security company to find out whether your security system is compatible with VoIP if you have a security system. To know about the evolution of alarm monitoring and find the best provider for you, check out the list of the best home security systems.
