When voice-over-internet protocol (VoIP) phone services are adopted by people, many homeowners are interested in VoIP works with security systems in their Home Security System including ADT. In particular, as ADT alarms and other systems use a landline to send the alert, it is an authoritative question to answer.

How ADT Monitoring Works?

ADT alarms are connected to the home’s telephone line so that they can relay information to the monitoring facilities owned by ADT. Your sensor, whether it is an intruder, smoke, fire, or any other emergency is connected to a phone line, and when it goes off, it notifies ADT dispatchers. This way, the dispatchers get to know the type of alarm and account and what is required of them.

If for instance, you opt to cancel your phone line, your ADT system will be rendered helpless on the same line to alert you or anyone. However, that does not mean that you run the risk of having to sacrifice the security of your home or office and getting a VoIP phone. The following are some of the ways that can be adopted to ensure that VoIP and ADT interoperate:

Integration of VoIP alongside cellular monitoring

One such solution is to incorporate a cellular monitoring option into your ADT alarm system. With cellular connectivity, your system will be able to transmit the signals wirelessly to the ADT dispatch center instead of the traditional landline. And even if your alarm is wired to a landline for VoIP, it can send out emergent signals through a cellular network.

The ADT Pulse system allows customers to choose cellular monitoring from the company. ADT Pulse needs upgrading of your control panel and sensors to accommodate the new equipment of ADT Pulse. ADT Pulse comes with additional expenses through the purchase and installation of the equipment that uses cellular connection and the cellular monitoring fee. However, it offers the flexibility of interoperability with any form of phone service including the normal traditional wired telephony, VoIP, or even strictly mobile phones.

To connect the Alarm to the VoIP Modem the necessary steps be followed:

Also, some VoIP modems have telephone ports to accommodate faxes, dial-up modems, alarm systems, and other analog equipment. If you use a VoIP modem and there are available telephone ports, then you can connect your ADT alarm system. This makes it possible for the alarm system to dial through the internet connection rather than the telephone line.

By connecting your alarm to the VoIP modem, you will be spared the cost of getting cellular upgrade equipment and the monitoring fees. The flipside of this is that not every VoIP modem can accommodate connections to analog devices and these connections may not be fully stable. Sometimes, the signal strength to alert ADT may be weak thus, check the system frequently to be certain that it has enough strength to alert ADT.

VoIP Implementation: Simultaneous Monitoring

To make this security even more secure, users have the option to also include cellular monitoring through ADT as a backup plan in case of landline monitoring. This way, you ensure that the presently installed ADT alarm is connected to a telephone landline to transmit signals through that channel by preference. If the internet or VoIP phone service ceases meaning that a mechanical landline signal cannot be sent, the cellular part of the system comes into play as the backup channel.

This means that with dual monitoring you understand that your alarm is going to be able to send out signals to ADT dispatch with alerts irrespective of any challenges with your internet or VoIP phone services. It guarantees optimal reliability and security. Thus, when there are two monitoring pathways, there is a lower likelihood of an error occurring or the message not being understood. The only disadvantage that might be expected in this case is a higher cost for the extracellular connection equipment as well as for the monthly monitoring.

Considering Limitations of VoIP

However, it should be noted that even if you are to use one of the above solutions to enable VoIP and alarms, achieving 100 percent reliability for all is quite challenging. VoIP depends on electric power and an internet connection to enable it to deliver calls and communication. One disadvantage is that if you have a power outage or if your internet connection is bad, your VoIP line cannot accept or place calls.

In that scenario, cellular backup would enable the alarm system to continue to operate, as the cellular signal is not affected by a power outage. However, making calls to emergency numbers from VoIP phones would not be possible under both internet and power outages. Always have other means of communication like fully charged mobile phones for making calls in scenarios whereby internet and electricity which are crucial in VoIP services are unavailable.

Another option offered, which is exclusive to the ADT Pulse cellular equipment, is the Notify service. Besides, it empowers the cellular connectivity of your alarm with ADT’s monitoring centers, and notification to your smartphone through SMS, or your email inbox each time alarms are activated.

Notify messages inform you of which kind of sensor was triggered and therefore whether it was the front door, window, heat, smoke, CO, etc., Notify is not intended to replace a call to emergency services if required. However, it provides added knowledge of instances when the sensors are triggered and alarms go off at the property you own even if you are not present at the location.

Key Points and Recommendations

To recap the key points on reconciling ADT alarm monitoring with VoIP phone systems: 

  • VoIP relies on an internet connection to handle the calls, unlike traditional telephone services like landlines.
  • ADT alarms work through telephone lines to transmit signals to monitoring centers for the alarms.
  • Solutions exist to allow ADT and VoIP to work together:- Solutions exist to allow ADT and VoIP to work together:
Relocate the alarm system’s connection to VoIP modem telephone ports

If cellular-based monitoring is not possible then it must be done with the backup of cellular.

  • It is imperative to look at its advantages and disadvantages such as its performance when there is a power failure or when there is no internet connection. Ensure there are also stand-by communication facilities in case of an emergency.
  • Other features such as the ADT Pulse Notify offer convenient alarm notifications on cell phones in the form of message alerts and email alerts.

If you want to ensure that your home security will be reliably safeguarded without interfering with your contemporary VoIP phones, it is wise to rely on expert ADT professionals. They are equipped to judge your status and the right equipment setting and monitoring regimes to keep your alarm system connected. It was found that they can establish dependable security support for your home based on what communication services you need.

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Call now at +1 877-470-7879 to get a free consultation and find out how you can secure your home with the best in the business. Don’t wait—ensure your peace of mind with ADT!