Broadband Security Systems – VoIP, Next Alarm and More

In an age of high-speed Internet, everything’s changing – even home security systems. Most customers have their home security systems connecting to their security system monitoring company via standard telephone lines.

However, many people have switched to digital Voice over IP service which runs calls through their broadband connections at cheaper rates. You may be familiar with some of the better branded services like Vonage and AT&T CallVantage.

For people with home security systems, VoIP can either cause glitches with alarms, or will prevent them from being accepted for service by highly-reputable security system providers worried about data integrity over a VoIP line.

However, new broadband security system services are springing up to fill in the gaps and allow your security system and VoIP technology to run side by side.

Products like Next Alarm’s Alarm Broadband Network revolve around a device which links your existing security system to your Internet connection and runs data directly between your system and the alarm monitoring station using only broadband data. This eliminates use of phone lines altogether.

It works better than VoIP connections because at a isn’t turned into a standard phone signal and then converted again into data. Basically, ABN and similar devices use your broadband to create an all-data network between your house and your security system provider.

Better yet, broadband security system devices create data encryption so that your alarm system information is secure. This makes your data safer than if it were run through a phone line and much more secure than through a VoIP service.

Of course, it has one giant drawback over traditional phone line use – power outages. Typically, in a power outage, your broadband modems go down, while landlines which have independent power, stay up and running.

Blackouts are particularly vulnerable times for homes and homeowners. However, if you have a generator, battery-back-up, solar power system or other emergency power source, a broadband home security system service may be a good choice for you.

Make sure to use a reputable provider that isn’t a scam slipping you a fake device just to disable your security system and make your house vulnerable to theft. Check with your state department of consumer affairs and the Better Business Bureau before proceeding.

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