VoIP and Your Security System

VoIP – Internet Telephone Services

Recently some customers have chosen to switch or are considering switching their residential or commercial telephone service from the traditional telephone network (regular copper wire connections) to VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol). VoIP allows customers to make telephone calls using their High Speed (Always-ON) Internet Connection, bypassing the traditional telephone network. While Customers may be eager to replace their landline telephone with VoIP because of its lower cost and digital technology, they may not realize they could be cutting off the link between their alarm system and DFT’s Central Station. The scariest part is that Customers may not realize it until an incident or emergency occurs.

VoIP’s compatibility with alarm systems is unpredictable — sometimes alarm signals make it through to the Central Station on a VoIP line, sometimes they don’t.

Some of the problems that your alarm system may have with VoIP service are:

• Many existing alarm control panel formats are not compatible with at least some VoIP services and may not reliably transmit alarm signals to DFT’s central station.
• VoIP providers cut subscriber connections to the telephone network and replace them with connections via DSL or the Cable Company to the Internet to the in-house system behind the RJ31X jack. This results in the system being incorrectly configured, because the RJ31X becomes wired incorrectly, and the panel is disconnected in the alarm state, unable to send signals to DFT’s central station.
• VoIP providers have totally disconnected the in-house wiring and installed short-range wireless phones connected to the VoIP device. The alarm panel is then totally disconnected from the telephone network and rendered useless.
• VoIP systems are vulnerable to power outages unless customers have adequate battery or other auxiliary power. Unlike traditional telephone service, the VoIP equipment is powered from the customer premises rather than from the telephone central office.

DFT is recommending that if you are considering VoIP as your sole telephone service connection, that you contact us beforehand.

If you are already using VoIP as your sole telephone connection - immediately contact DFT Security so that we can test your alarm system for proper operation.

DFT Security has always strongly recommended having a back-up form of alarm communication, and suggests it especially now as a solution for dealing with the un-certainty of VoIP service. DFT Security offers AlarmNet-C service, which utilizes the cellular telephone network to communicate between your alarm system and DFT’s Central Station. DFT Security also offers AlarmNet-I service, which transmits alarm data signals over your High Speed (Always-On) Internet connection directly to DFT Security’s Central Station, without using VoIP as a middleman. Both services provide a reliable and secure connection to DFT’s Central Station to insure your safety and protection. For more information on VoIP, AlarmNet-C or AlarmNet-I, please contact DFT Security at 800-724-1057.