Medical Alarms on VoIP Landlines?

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tim0001

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#302408 21-Nov-2022 15:12

One of our neighbours had someone come to install a medical home alarm today. Apparently it didn't go to well when the installer found out that the copper landline was "Voice over Broadband" (Trustpower I think). Are there some medical alarm providers that can use WiFi or Ethernet instead? A little googling shows that mobile connectivity is often used as an alternative. (Unfortunately our neighbour doesn't have mobile coverage.)

Thanks

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#2999237 21-Nov-2022 15:34

I simply cannot believe that installers are still looking to provide a copper based service for these as the default....

The writing is on the wall is great big flaming letters that UFB VOIP is coming to a phone near you soon!

Find out who the Alarm provider is and give them a call and see what they offer,

BUT if they are going to go for a VOIP solution then arrange for your neighbour to get an UPS for the ONT/Router...

Also get their doctor to sign off a "vulnerable/medical customer" declaration to the phone company....

RunningMan

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#2999309 21-Nov-2022 15:54

St John offer cellular alarms.

cyril7

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#2999311 21-Nov-2022 15:56

RunningMan:

St John offer cellular alarms.

Ummm, OP says no mobile coverage at location

Cyril

RunningMan

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#2999314 21-Nov-2022 16:05

Hmm, didn't see that.

nztim

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#2999321 21-Nov-2022 16:22

The usual thing they do is to put a 4g modem into the alarm, if this is not an option due to no cell service (and I know that @tim0001 lives off the mobile map and in a POTS shutdown area)

St John need to address this; they have been aware of POTS shutdown since 2017 not everywhere is covered by mobile service.

Ethernet module would be the best solution (if such thing exists)

Any views expressed on these forums are my own and don't necessarily reflect those of my employer.

tim0001

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#2999327 21-Nov-2022 16:35

wellygary:

Find out who the Alarm provider is and give them a call and see what they offer,

The only option given by the Alarm Provider was to change back to a traditional landline (eg change to NowNZ, or Spark). Which, and I could be wrong on this, is $35pm more ($56pm more with Spark). There might be some better deals

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coffeebaron

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#2999339 21-Nov-2022 17:18

How no mobile coverage is it? Could an external antenna or mobile repeater system help?

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nztim

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#2999341 21-Nov-2022 17:18

tim0001:
wellygary:

Find out who the Alarm provider is and give them a call and see what they offer,

The only option given by the Alarm Provider was to change back to a traditional landline (eg change to NowNZ, or Spark). Which, and I could be wrong on this, is $35pm more ($56pm more with Spark). There might be some better deals

With NOWNZ the landline is VOIP (Baseband IP) which is not guaranteed to work with an Alarm

Any views expressed on these forums are my own and don't necessarily reflect those of my employer.

richms

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#2999348 21-Nov-2022 18:00

This is on these "monitored" alarm providers being 20 years in the past with what they're doing. There are other IOT networks than cellular that they could use.

But really if someone is living in a rural area thats so bad it has no coverage from any network then you have to question how they would get assistance when needed that far from civilization. All very well getting an alarm for them but if they fall and noone is near to come and help, what good did the alarm do?

Richard rich.ms

tim0001

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#2999456 21-Nov-2022 18:41

coffeebaron: How no mobile coverage is it? Could an external antenna or mobile repeater system help?

Perhaps with a big enough antenna...

Its possible that there will be a RCG tower installed next year (which would provide good coverage). So hopefully just need a short term solution.

Do you happen to know if the St Johns medical alarms will work on 4G-only RCG cellsites?

tim0001

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#2999461 21-Nov-2022 18:51

@nztim Thanks, I didn't realize that Baseband IP was a potential problem too.

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nztim

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#2999470 21-Nov-2022 19:43

tim0001:
@nztim Thanks, I didn't realize that Baseband IP was a potential problem too.

Baseband IP is still VOIP the sip to analog conversations happens at the cabinet/exchange

Any views expressed on these forums are my own and don't necessarily reflect those of my employer.

tim0001

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#2999485 21-Nov-2022 20:43

Digging a bit deeper, I found a ComCom report that stated "A number of RSPs have submitted that Chorus' Baseband IP service may not be compatible with services such as medical and security alarms". But then the Chorus BBIP User Guide says BBIP supports medical alarms. Seems to be a grey area!

antoniosk

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#2999959 22-Nov-2022 20:11

nztim:

The usual thing they do is to put a 4g modem into the alarm, if this is not an option due to no cell service (and I know that @tim0001 lives off the mobile map and in a POTS shutdown area)

St John need to address this; they have been aware of POTS shutdown since 2017 not everywhere is covered by mobile service.

Ethernet module would be the best solution (if such thing exists)

Alarmed? Don't be. | Chorus

Perhaps @chorus would like to weigh in and help the OP not be alarmed.

________

Antoniosk

stick

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#2999978 22-Nov-2022 20:29

@ChorusNZ

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