Don't Lose Your Security With VoIP

     Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a new technology that can save consumers money by sending phone calls over broadband or cable modem lines that they use for their Internet connection.  This means potential savings in long distance rates over standard telephone lines because Internet connections have no additional charge for long distance.

     Consumers who have monitored alarm systems must be sure to check with their alarm company before installing VoIP. Since most alarm systems communicate over standard telephone lines, new VoIP service must be compatible with the alarm system in order to simulate the same manner of communication.  If it is not compatible, a fire or burglar alarm signal may not be received by the central station that is monitoring the home, or the signal may be received in a confused or incompatible fashion.

   Some VoIP systems do not work during power failures or have limited backup battery capacity, which is when a burglar or fire alarm may be needed most. This does not happen with standard telephone lines because they carry their own source of electric power from the telephone company's central office.

     Internet lines sometimes are shut down for maintenance. For surfing the Web, or even telephone calls, this may be a temporarily inconvenience; however, for an alarm system that must be connected at the exact moment of an emergency event, it can literally mean the difference between life and death. Since Citadel Security Systems does a weekly communication test of the customer’s alarm system’s communication to our central station, we can ascertain which alarm systems are communicating, and which are not. Basically, VoIP systems that are connected to a private internet, seem to work, and those connected to the public internet are very erratic. No standard currently exists for equipment used in VoIP systems.

What’s In a Telephone Touch-Tone?

     This process enables an operator at the central station to be notified of the alarm emergency within seconds and automatically be given a list of options by the computer, such as contacting the police department, fire department, or the owner of the premise.  If any step of this process is impeded by poor reception of the data packets, the alarm may not be handled properly.

      Because VoIP is a digital process, it breaks sounds into digital packets like the ones that contain information sent over the Internet.  If those packets are not reassembled exactly the way they were received, the automated equipment receiving the signal may not receive the alarm signal.  Some digital compression formats used by VoIP providers do not reproduce the signals accurately.
 

What Can Go Wrong?

A lot happens when an alarm system activates, which consumers may be unaware.  For example, when an alarm activates, the alarm system takes command of the telephone line and temporarily disconnects all other devices on the telephone line to keep it open for transmitting the alarm signal. This is called “line seizure,” and for it to work properly, the alarm system must be electrically connected to the telephone line in front of any other devices.      When A VoIP system is installed, the alarm system must be connected in front of the telephone handsets, otherwise this function will not work.  If other devices are still connected to a phone line during an alarm, that device may interfere with the alarm transmission.

Emergency 911 centers can determine where a call originates from a standard telephone line. With VoIP telephone service, you must check that you have 911 emergency service calling. That identifying feature must be included with your VoIP system. If this is not done, your 911 center may not know where to dispatch police or fire if you are too incapacitated to give them your address. With VoIP, many homeowners are uneasy over the fact that they may not be able to personally dial 911 from their phone in an emergency.      Telephone call savings still can be realized through the VoIP system, but having a standard telephone line can provide peace of mind for the security-conscious customer. Retaining a standard telephone line (Non-VoIP) is a reliable method for sending emergency alarm communications.     Technical Discussion Check with Your Alarm Company before Signing up for VoIP Service  Read the NBFAA (The National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association) Report on Voice over IP (VoIP) Click Here (600k Adobe PDF file)