Communications conglomerates are announcing plans to decommission POTS (plain old telephone system) lines by 2020. Prepare to say goodbye to telephone poles and tangled phone cords.
So what does this have to do with your home security system?
What You Need to Know
If you have an older security system, chances are it runs on POTS lines. Once your town’s lines are decommissioned, the communication path between your home and the monitoring center may be impaired, though it will still function locally.
Most carriers, including Verizon, AT&T and Comcast offer voice services known as managed facilities-based voice network (MFVN). An approved method by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), MFVN can be used to transmit alarm system signals.
An Alternative: Wireless Home Security
That said, you do not need a standard phone line to protect your home.
Wireless security systems, which route communications via a cellular network, offer an alternative. These systems are fast, reliable and secure, and provide homeowners with greater features and flexibility. This includes 24-hour battery backup, two-way voice features that allow communication between your home and central station, and improved system messaging—all of which are unavailable over POTS service.
Most wireless systems also allow remote security management as a standard feature. Imagine having the ability to lock and unlock doors, and control lights remotely.
Planning for the Future
Communications companies aren’t hanging you out to dry. Upon decommissioning POTS lines, the companies plans to reallocate resources to provide better and more reliable IP-based systems—including wired and wireless broadband networks. This will make wireless security systems that much more reliable.
Five years can go by quickly. Contact us today for more information on how to prepare your home security system.
How do you feel about the end of POTS lines? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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