VoIP Systems Don’t work Well with Alarm Systems

VOIP is more like a broadband connection; your voice is converted into digital data at your home and “streamed” over your Internet connection to the listener at the other end. Each VoIP provider uses slightly different technology to accomplish this, not all of which are compatible with every security system. The signal sent out by your VoIP service may not be recognized by the monitoring center as an alarm signal.

Compared to standard phone lines (often known as POTS, for Plain Old Telephone Service) VoIP has another critical consideration: backup power. When you lose electrical power to your home, by natural causes, or intentionally caused by intruders, any device without battery backup will be useless. Any professional security system will have its own dedicated battery backup for just such a situation, and standard phone lines work just fine without power, but most homes don’t have a similar backup for their digital phones or Internet connections.

VoIP phones depend on that Internet connection, and cutting off the electricity will cut off power to the modem or router that connects you to the Internet. This isn’t just a drawback of VoIP security systems; all digital telephones depend on your home’s electrical power. This includes any digital phone service that you get from your Internet, cable or telephone provider, as well as standard phones that offer wireless or answering machine features.

To ensure your safety, most security system providers keep an updated database of the telephone providers in your area. Fully compatible telephone providers are given the status of qualified Managed Facility Voice Network (MFVN). Other VoIP security systems may require additional equipment for battery or communication backup, such as a cellular option or dedicated powered network connection.

Call Rendin Alarm today to find out how a Cellular / IP Radio System will work for your home.