Because most at-home alarm systems use a traditional phone network (analog) to make its calls to emergency services in cases of an emergency or break in, switching to VoIP, which uses Internet to communicate, will make it so the alarm system will not be able to report any incidences to the authorities. While there are some problems that can be encountered with residential VoIP services and alarm systems, there are also some ways around the problem that might make it so you can still successfully switch to VoIP completely without having to keep your additional traditional phone plan. Switching to VoIP while still having to keep your traditional phone line will ultimately cost you more money in the long run versus saving you money by switching to a more affordable VoIP phone system.
VoIP and Alarm Systems:
The biggest problem with VoIP and alarm systems is that those residences that have alarm systems will have to purchase a specific alarm system that uses radio frequency or even Internet hot spots to relay emergency information to the proper authorities. However, most people that already have alarm systems current use an analog phone system that is connected to the alarm to contact emergency services in case of a break in or other emergency. Unfortunately because the alarm system already requires the traditional phone system to be in place, the homeowners would not really save any money by switching to VoIP services as well.
However, there are a few ways around this conflict between VoIP and alarm systems. Many alarm system companies are working with VoIP technology to allow the owners to upgrade their current phone system to VoIP and still be able to effectively connect and use their alarm system using the VoIP technology. Often times this might incur an additional cost. However, with so many residential owners using their mobile phones and at-home Internet connections to communicate to their friends, family, loved ones and work, it is an effective way to make the switch using VoIP communications.
While there might be an initial cost to upgrade your alarms system to one that can accommodate or connect using VoIP, there are savings to be had once the VoIP system is in place. Often times the VoIP phone system offers tons of free minutes each month and a low, monthly subscription cost. Before you choose your best VoIP phone system, it is a good idea to be able to find out if you can upgrade your current alarm system. If you cannot, it is a good idea to really sit down and look at the hard numbers to see if it would be worth the savings financially to switch to a new alarm system that makes it easy for homeowner to switch to a new alarm system as well as a new VoIP provider and still save money. If the savings is not worth it, the only option to be able to use VoIP technology is to find a free VoIP provider that offers most of its calling and services for free.
When you are doing research to find your best VoIP provider for your residential VoIP services, it is a good idea to make sure you ask your provider what options they have for your VoIP and alarm system conundrum. Many VoIP providers might have easy solutions that can be used to make both your alarm system work using VoIP communication services.