VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is a risky option for home security. Traditionally, burglar and fire alarm signals are transmitted from your home or business to a central monitoring station, like the one at Monitronics, over landlines. In many homes and businesses VoIP systems are becoming a substitute for the traditional land line systems. VoIP is a technology that converts your analog voice into a digital signal that then travels over the Internet using your high-speed connection. If you are calling a regular phone number, as you are when your alarm calls our central station, the signal is converted to a regular phone signal before it arrives.
Are you thinking about getting VoIP? You need to consider the quality and reliability of the phone line, which depends directly on the quality and stability of your Internet broadband connection. If your connection goes down or is intermittent, you have no access or connection to your phone line during the interruption, therefore no communication with your central station. That essentially means you’ve got no alarm system until your VoIP is back up and running.
This same risk applies to improperly installed VoIP phone systems, by either a consumer or a cable provider. If this happens, there is a significant risk that existing alarm panels will be bypassed and no longer be able to send an alert to the alarm monitoring station. If you have VoIP, immediately test your system and do these tests on at least a monthly basis.
The alarm industry is proposing that Congress enact a provision which would require that before a VoIP system is activated, the customer is notified that the system needs to be tested on a regular basis. We’re always here to answer any questions you many have about your alarm system and how VoIP might affect it. Call us at 480-213-7856 or toll-free at 866-342-9280 to speak with a customer service specialist.
Your Safety Is Our Top Priority!
Tags: Business Security, Daytime Burglary, Home Security, Security mistakes, Voice over Internet Protocal, VoIP, Xpress Protection Security
good points David