In 2009, The Economist estimated that 700,000 home phones are disconnected every month; meaning landlines will become obsolete sometime in 2025. Recent numbers seem to back up this claim.
As of June 2012, 32% of homes do not have a landline phone. That's approximately one in every three households. These individuals, instead, rely on cellular service or VOIP to communicate—a growing trend as smartphone purchases soar.
That said, many home security systems still rely on landlines to transmit their signals. The inconvenient truth is that this forces households to maintain ties with telecommunications providers even when they otherwise may not.
But it doesn't end there. Legislation has passed in some states, removing the requirement that phone companies must provide landline services to everyone. This means that a landline-based security system may not even be an option, in some areas.
As landlines slide into obscurity, there has been a shift to wireless security systems that use cellular technology to relay messages. Readily available from top security providers, these systems are often more reliable, convenient and accessible, than their landline-counterparts.
Wireless Security Systems Are More Reliable
A traditional security alarm uses a standard phone line to transmit its message to a central monitoring station. If that phone line is cut, alerts are never sent. Your home is left susceptible to intrusion, and smart burglars will notice.
Don't believe it? Check out this story from a former thief. In it, the robber explains how he would "cut the main wires to the power supply, and after that the telephone wires" to disable security systems before entering.
The best way to avoid this situation is through a cellular security system, which eliminates physical, onsite wires. Or, if you prefer to use a landline, have your security company back it up with wireless technology in the event that your service is disrupted.
Cellular Security Systems Are More Convenient
Wireless systems also have the added benefit of remote management , which is not available via standard phone lines. This provides even greater levels of safety and convenience, as you can receive real-time alerts if an alarm is triggered and/or manage your system from afar—all from a web browser or smartphone.
