Alarm.com Announces VoIP-Compatible, Wireless Security Systems for Homes and Businesses
Las Vegas, NV., April 6, 2005 – Alarm.com® Incorporated, a leading provider of wireless and web-enabled security systems, today announced at the ISC West security industry conference the availability of its "VoIP-Compatible Security Solution". The Alarm.com service allows VoIP and cell phone-only customers to cancel their landline phone service and still have a reliable security system monitoring their homes and businesses.
The Alarm.com wireless solution addresses a major issue that has prevented many consumers from making the switch to VoIP (Voice over IP) telephone service: Most security systems rely on a traditional landline telephone connection to communicate alarm signals from the customer location to an offsite central monitoring station. Alarm.com offers a completely wireless, phone-line-independent method for transmitting alarm signals from a customer’s security system to the central monitoring station, which can then contact local authorities in the event of an emergency. Some VoIP customers may attempt to use a VoIP telephone system as a channel for alarm communications, however this method is not reliable for two primary reasons:
1) Power Outages. When the power goes out, the broadband modem that connects the VoIP telephone system to the Internet shuts off. Without an Internet connection, there is no way for an alarm signal to get delivered to the central station through a VoIP system.
2) Alarm Signal Distortion. Most security systems communicate alarms by dialing into a "receiver" at the central monitoring station and sending a series of tones through the phone line. When the tones are translated into digital format by the VoIP system and sent over the Internet, the alarm signal can be distorted and may prevent an alarm from being interpreted correctly at the central monitoring station.
Because of these reliability issues, an increasing number of security monitoring companies are advising VoIP customers to keep their landline phone connections solely to maintain reliable security monitoring. Westminster Security, a wholly-owned subsidiary of national luxury homebuilder Toll Brothers Inc. based in Horsham, PA, is currently working with Alarm.com to incorporate the VoIP-compatible security offering into its standard security packages for new homeowners. "With approximately 70% of our homebuyers signing up for central station monitoring, the recent push towards cell phone-only houses or using non-traditional phone services such as Voice Over IP has become a major obstacle to our program," said Felicia Ratka, Assistant Vice President of Westminster Security. "A wireless, web-based product like Alarm.com will help bridge the gap that exists in those situations because the traditional phone lines to communicate with a central monitoring station will no longer be needed."
When a security system is fitted with an Alarm.com Wireless Module, it becomes phone-line-independent. If there is an alarm, the Alarm.com Wireless Module transmits the alarm signal immediately to Alarm.com’s Network Operations Center located in the Washington, DC area. From there, the alarm signal is routed to the customer’s central monitoring station where it is handled as if it came directly from the customer’s security system through the phone line. Alarm.com uses several nationwide wireless network providers to transmit signals securely between the customer’s security system and the Alarm.com network operations center.
"Our technology is not merely a backup to a phone line connection like standard cellular backup service," said Steve Trundle, CEO of Alarm.com. "Alarm.com makes a security system completely independent of the phone line or broadband connection and allows VoIP customers to have constant and reliable communication to our Network Operations Center and a central monitoring station."
Alarm.com offers its VoIP-compatible security monitoring service through a national network of licensed Security Dealers. The Alarm.com Wireless Module is compatible with GE Security equipment.
About Alarm.com
Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, Alarm.com® Incorporated provides web-enabled, 100% wireless security and activity monitoring technology to residential and commercial customers throughout the United States and Canada. Alarm.com has over 200 authorized dealers nationwide and its systems are used to monitor and protect houses, apartments, offices, stores, retail chains, model homes, data centers, trailers and more. Patents protect Alarm.com services and products. One or more of the following patents may apply to Alarm.com services and products: US Patent Nos. 6,661,340 and 6,400,265. Other patent applications are pending.
Alarm.com PR Contact:
Mary Knebelmknebel@alarm.com
703.714.1234