Seal-Tight Security would like to inform you of the potential impact installing Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) could have on your electronic security/life safety system.

A family of four is awoken by the sound of a window breaking downstairs and the shuffle of an intruder's feet. Their initial fear is abated when they realize their alarm is going off and soon help will be on the way. Meanwhile, that family's address is not showing up on any of the central station's screens. Locked up in their rooms, the family has no idea that no one knows they're in danger.

That scenario is the nightmare we face with more customers abandoning their landline phones for voice over Internet protocol (VoIP).

With its ability to transmit voice telephone calls over the Internet the same way as Web pages and E-mails, VoIP has the potential to be the first real threat to the 100-year supremacy of plain old telephone service (POTS). With uncertainty about its compatibility with alarm systems, it also has the potential to be a major headache for our customers, our central stations and the industry as a whole.

While you may be eager to replace your landline with VoIP because of its lower cost and digital technology, you may not realize you could be cutting off the link between your alarm panel and monitoring station. The scariest part is you may not realize it until a crime or emergency is actually taking place.

VoIP's compatibility with alarm systems is unpredictable — sometimes alarm signals make it through on a VoIP line, sometimes they don't. That leaves no one right answer on how to deal with it.

We realize VoIP may be a useful technology for you, but we want to make sure you are aware of the effects it could have on your electronic security/life safety system. If you decide to install VoIP, please make sure the company you are working with knows you have an alarm system.

The following are things to consider before installing VoIP:

• If a phone number change is required when switching to VoIP, make sure to notify us about this change. The monitoring station has no way to contact you should an alarm be activated if we do not have your new number.
• It may be difficult for you to connect with a local 911-dispatch center or for the dispatch center to identify the location of the Internet based 911 call.
• In addition to alarm system battery back-up equipment, VoIP may need additional battery backup to maintain communications in the event of a power outage.
• There could be costs and modifications for your alarm system to communicate through VoIP.
• If you do not have a standard phone line you may want to look into cellular or internet modules to communicate to the central station. Call us for more info.

If you have monitoring services through us, we encourage you to check with us before making any changes to your existing telephone service. Through proper communication, we will be able to continue to provide monitoring services for your electronic security/life safety system.

If you have questions regarding VoIP and how it may affect your electronic security/life
safety system, please contact us at 847 640 2210.