VoIP Compatibility
VoIP may disrupt your monitored alarm system
VoIP phone service, commonly known as digital voice, may disrupt the communication between your security system and the Allied Fire & Security monitoring centers.
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a technology that provides phone service over a broadband Internet connection. It connects your phone to the Internet in place of a traditional hard-wired phone line, and is often offered by cable television and telephone companies. VoIP is also known as digital voice, IP telephony, Internet telephony, broadband telephony, broadband phone or voice over broadband.
If you are considering, or have made a switch to VoIP and haven't already done so, please contact Allied immediately so that we ensure your system is configured to work properly with VoIP service, and, if necessary, make recommendations on what might be added to your system to ensure VoIP compatibility.
There are a variety of new alarm signal transmission technologies available that can be added to your existing system, or included as part of an upgrade, to keep your system communicating with the alarm monitoring centers.
Remember, Allied's goal is to keep your system functioning properly, giving you peace-of-mind and total integrated protection at all times.
VoIP Considerations:
If you are considering using VoIP or digital phone services, please be aware of the following:
VoIP requires continuous power. If you lose power, you will not be able to use any phone connected to VoIP. More importantly, the security system will not send a signal to your monitoring center.
If you change your telephone number to take advantage of VoIP savings, it is important that you immediately advise Allied so we may update your account with accurate information.
Some Allied alarm systems have a feature that checks your telephone line for voltage that is currently supplied by your telephone company. Certain characteristics of VoIP may lower the voltage and affect the security features of your alarm. VoIP may also send voltage through your phone line even when the actual land line had been compromised. This VoIP feature may cause the cut phone line alarm NOT to sound if the land line on the outside of your premises is cut.
Allied may lose the ability to download software changes to your alarm system (adding/deleting users, pass codes, etc). A chargeable service call may be necessary to visit your premise to make these changes on site.
Any changes or upgrades made to your VoIP service could impact the ability of your security system to transmit signals. You should always retest the system after any upgrades to your VoIP service.
Other issues with VoIP:
VoIP does not offer the same quality of service as direct telephone connections do. There are problems with connectivity, security, disability access and emergency access.
Many VoIP connections may not properly handle outgoing calls from fax machines, TiVO boxes, satellite television receivers, conventional modems or fax modems. These devices depend on conventional telephone lines for some or all of their functionality.
Remember, if you are considering or have made a switch to VoIP, please contact Allied. Again, there are alternative solutions to retain your security in addition to receiving the benefits of VoIP.
