The primary function of alarm monitoring is to provide immediate off-site notification of critical events, necessitating swift and essential responses. Situations involving – and property protection are among the most urgent, requiring round-the-clock surveillance without interruption. Modern alarm monitoring centers operate 24/7 and have the capacity to receive signals through various communication methods and formats. For the past five decades, the plain old telephone line has served as the standard mode of communication. Prior to that, a dedicated pair of copper wires connected the premise directly to the police or fire station.

Today, traditional telephone lines are being replaced by VoIP or internet-based phone systems, which pose challenges with compatibility for security modem communications. Code-compliant life-safety systems demand reliable and redundant communication services to ensure continuity in transmitting alarm signals to monitoring centers. Through our experience at ESI, we have found that relying solely on networks is not a foolproof solution for life-safety purposes; however, they offer a suitable means for users to remotely manage and view systems. While cell phone service appears as a viable alternative, additional charges may apply, and the reliability can be impacted when cell towers undergo maintenance.