Options for using Vonage with land-line alarm system

Posts: 6 · New Forum Member Joined: Jul 09, 2005 Posts: 6

I would like to switch to Vonage but am confused about the implications of various options.

My house has an alarm system that dials out over a land line if an emergency occurs. One option I understand is to disconnect the external telephone wiring and put all interior phones and the alarm system on Vonage. For people who have done this, how do you handle situations when the broad band goes down or where you might have to reboot the Vonage device or your router, which would then look like a cut line to the security system? Are there many people who accept the risk that their internet service might go down while they are on vacation or sleeping? If the power flickers, will the Vonage device reset itself as does the cable modem?

Another option would be to keep a dedicated land line for the alarm system and use expandable cordless telephones connected to Vonage. Are there phone companies that offer minimal expense local lines in this case, so I don't have to pay $20/month just to keep a land line available for rare emergency use? The two local providers that I know about, AT&T and Bell South, don't seem to have a minimal-use option.

Would be interested in any other recommendations about how to keep my home security system working reliably while using Vonage.

Thanks,

Henry

Posts: 15 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Jun 18, 2005 Posts: 15

i was able to have adt hook up a cellular backup as a primary dial out.

Posts: 20 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Jul 10, 2005 Posts: 20

I just got Vonage, connect up my ADT alarm system and it just works. Did you actually try yours yet ?

Posts: 217 · Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2005 7:46 am Post subject:

I also have an alarm system from a local alarm company and it works just fine with Vonage. I didn't have to do anything and I regularly test it and all is well.

Posts: 6 · New Forum Member Joined: Jul 09, 2005 Posts: 6

FWTX wrote:

i was able to have adt hook up a cellular backup as a primary dial out.

Could you tell me what your cost is for a cellular backup? I plan to explore that route, the one company I called was much too expensive ($400/year versus about $220/year for a land line).

Posts: 2135 · Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2005 3:21 pm Post subject:

hsg7 wrote:

FWTX wrote:

i was able to have adt hook up a cellular backup as a primary dial out.

Could you tell me what your cost is for a cellular backup? I plan to explore that route, the one company I called was much too expensive ($400/year versus about $220/year for a land line).

I have always had a cell backup (prior to going to VoIP).

I pay $4.99 a month for it to our local alarm company. It only calls out if the wires are cut, or if it needs to during a power or network outage.

I do not believe that in the seven years that I've had it, that it has ever made a call.

You should ask your alarm company about it, they have the arrangements for a deal, not a cell company.