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Monday, December 24, 2007

Alarm Systems & VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) Phone Lines

An astounding and unexpected number of people are dropping their (POTS) plain old telephone system, for the latest trends in phone service, VoIP. According to Frost & Sullivan there were 100,000 VoIP users at the end of 2003. Just halfway through 2004 the number jumped to more than 500,000.

The draw to such a change is most often cost related. Traditional phone companies charge use fees and by the minute charges, coupled with long distance fees. VoIP companies are charging a flat fee somewhere between $15.00 to $30.00 US per month, for unlimited calls to anywhere in the US and Canada.

VoIP works by digitizing voice signals from your phone and sending them over the Internet via your home or business computer. While people are scrambling to make the switch and begin to count the money they are saving, they may not realize that there is a good possibility that they are cutting the link between their alarm system and the monitoring station. Another link that is lost in most cases is traditional 911 services, as VoIP does not capture data for emergency response.

When your alarm goes off due to an attempted break in, is no time to find out that the monitoring response that you have been faithfully paying for is not available for you. The Alarm company has no way of knowing that you switched services. You should be sending a test signal monthly, to assure yourself that the system is working properly, no matter who you are connected through. Be advised that if you are using VoIP and the signal goes through, it does not mean that it will always be as clear. The volume of traffic on the Internet can and will vary the quality of the digitized signal it sends.

If you find yourself intrigued by this revolution in phone services and are dependent on alarm system dispatch as part of your security plan, you should consider the pitfalls and options.

* If power fails to the premise it is likely that your VoIP will fail also, unless your PC has a backup power source.

* You may not be able to use 911 services.

* Your signal may go through giving you a false sense of security, as it may not work next time.

* You may have already switched to VoIP and not realize that your alarm is not being monitored.

I myself have elected to utilize VoIP to save money on long distance. I also maintain a standard limited use phone line to take care of my security communications, 911 and phone backup should power fail. The (limited use) phone line, cost me less than $15.00 per month and is offset by the savings on my long distance bill.

Cellular communicators are available that will make your alarm call over any available cellular network. The device will have to be purchased for about $200.00 to $500.00, and an additional fee of approximately $10.00 per month is added to your monitoring bill.

Some alarm companies offer radio signal transmitted monitoring services, which do not depend on phone lines of any sort to transmit your alarm signal. The availability of such services is limited and depends where you live.

Alarm companies of all sizes are working with manufactures and providers of VoIP services to find ways to properly integrate Alarm Systems with these phone communications industry changes. I would expect many changes in the near future as this does not seem to be a passing fad. Be on the lookout for information on these changes, so that you can always make an informed decision.

Matthew Francis Alarms@expertsknow.com

22 year veteran of the alarm industry Installer, salesman, licensed alarm company owner, monitoring station designer, promotions and marketing director with one of the worlds largest security dealers. He now works as a consumer advocate, teaching consumers how to buy or get systems for free (without being taken). He is committed to being unbiased.

His web site is http://www.expertsknow.com

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The Jerome Bettis Fumble

Nobody knows about the future of Jerome Bettis except him and his family but if the indianapolis colts had scored a game winning touchdown at the end of the game, Bettis would be back. Jerome Bettis is a gamer, and will live on as one of the best franchise players of the Pittsburgh steelers organization. This can not be said lightly as the steelers organization is one of the most storied franchises of the nfl.

Jerome Bettis would not be back for personal pride though, he is not a selfish player. He is not the type of player to come back to redeem himself like other players might, he does not need to legitimize his career. His choice to come back would be because of the betterment of the Pittsburgh steelers. Any potential hall of famer to take a back seat, take less pay, and be completely happy with the decision is the ultimate team player.

The steelers without Jerome Bettis is like a Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich without the bread. What is going to hold it together? His leadership, mentoring of the young Willie Parker, his relationship with Ben Roethlisberger, his reliability in the short yardage downs, and his work ethic will be a vital loss to the steelers.

The steelers will lose Jerome Bettis one of these years. I feel that if the steelers win the super Bowl, he will not be back. But there is no doubt that Jerome Bettis has given a lasting legacy on the Pittsburgh steelers. The football gods were right to not let the Jerome Bettis fumble be the deciding factor in this game.

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