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Traditional alarm systems transmit signals via a wire-based telephone line. This is a very dependable, time-tested method of communication.
Recent advances in digital communications and broadband internet services have caused some telephone users to eliminate their "land-line" phone service and rely exclusively on wireless technology or to obtain a digital internet phone service based on Voice Over Internet (VoIP) technology.
While there are distinct economic and convenience benefits in converting to these new technologies, there are also certain drawbacks:
- Service is dependent upon the reliability of the internet which currently experiences more outages than traditional phone service.
- VoIP phone service is powered by a premise electrical source rather than the telephone company central office and may require additional battery backup to maintain operation during local power outages.
- Connection to local 911 dispatch centers may be difficult and it may not be possible for the center to determine the caller's address.
- An internet connection may prevent the ability to "dial in" to an alarm system to fix certain problems and result in a more costly service call.
These drawbacks compromise the reliability of your fire and security system. Because Counterforce is a state-of-the-art monitoring center, we are able to provide alternatives which will minimize the unfavorable consequences to your security system caused by switching to the new technologies. We are able to offer system-powered cellular radio connection and direct IP-monitoring interfaces for many alarm systems which eliminate some of the problems with VoIP connections.
If you have a Counterforce system, it is very important that you contact us prior to converting to VoIP so that the installer of that system can route the necessary connections to the vicinity of your system panel.
Although there are presently disadvantages to be overcome with the new technologies, there is no question that they represent the future of communication and alarm monitoring. Their development will permit features which are not presently available to the majority of subscribers.
We at Counterforce look forward to being a part of that future.
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