How does cable phone and Voice of Internet Protocol impact an alarm service?

The best and most reliable form of communication between your alarm system and a central station is a P.O.T.S (Plain old telephone service) line. However, with the lower cost to the customer the alarm industry understands that these other forms of phone service will continue to gain penetration in American homes. Cable phones and VOIP are compatible with alarm control panels. However, these services do not have the reliability due to ever changing band width and power supply. If your home should loose power and your phone service is provided by your cable provider or VOIP your phones will be unavailable. P.O.T.S lines have a power supplied from central located generators. This is why your phones will still work in a black out.  If the phone line is not running then the signals from your alarm panel will not reach the central station. Without receiving a signal a central station operator will be unable to dispatch the proper authorities on your behalf.  

Bandwidth constraints are another reason why a signal may not be received. The bandwidth is not federally regulated and if your provided should decrease the amount of unused space available your signals from your alarm panel may not be received. It is recommended that you look closely at the legal commentary from your phone provider to see just how much they believe in their services. Do they guarantee a dial tone or does it say not guaranteed for live safety or medical phone calls?

However, you do go forward with any of these services you should know that the alarm panels are compatible and most alarm companies offer a back up radio. There are many communication paths that a radio can use including GPRS, Cellular, or SMS.  These communication paths will allow a signal to get to the central station in the event that the phone service is interrupted either by power loss, bandwidth constraints, or intentional malice.  Ask your alarm company about a back up radio as they are strongly recommended.