Alarm monitoring over UFB?

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gmball

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#150870 6-Aug-2014 11:56

Our property has previously had a monitored alarm (7+ yrs ago, previous owners).

When we moved in, we discontinued the alarm monitoring as there was always someone home.

Circumstances have changed, and we are considering re-investing in alarm monitoring.

We had UFB installed last year, and I have been told that alarms need a copper phone line to dial out. Our setup is such that although our phones are over VOIP, all of our phone jacks still have dial tone and we can plug any normal old fashioned phone into any phone jack and make a call.
I believe the setup is such that our FritzBox and Chorus ONT back feed a dial tone to all phone jacks in the house.

Does anyone have any experience with alarm monitoring after UFB is installed, does it make a difference that our phone jacks/dial tone is via UFB, does the alarm just need a dial tone?

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks

Coil

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#1103180 6-Aug-2014 11:57

3G Alarm or one setup for VOIP. I think they are around $600.

wellygary

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#1103182 6-Aug-2014 12:01

My understanding is that alarms on POTS are wired so that the Alarm can "grab" the phone connection irrespective of any of the other handsets being lifted or in use.

This cannot be done over VOIP, meaning that if the phone is in use you alarm will not be able to dial out.

You will need to get an IP dialler for the alarm to make it work over UFB.

gmball

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#1103187 6-Aug-2014 12:04

Thanks.

Any recommendations for a company which provides alarm service / monitoring in Auckland?

Inphinity

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#1103190 6-Aug-2014 12:08

I would probably talk to AlarmNZ.

gregmcc

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#1103191 6-Aug-2014 12:09

There is no reason why you can't use the phone line provided by the VOIP service, you say that all the phone outlets in the house work with plain old phone, this been the case the alarm should still be able to dial out, the only thing you will need to do is get the wiring changed so that the alarm is the 1st item on the line so it can disconnect any other item in use and then dial out.

As others have said, a IP dialer may be am option (connects to your ethernet network) or a 2G dialer and throw a pre-pay sim in it-which is exactly what I have done.

coffeebaron

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#1103200 6-Aug-2014 12:14

gregmcc: There is no reason why you can't use the phone line provided by the VOIP service, you say that all the phone outlets in the house work with plain old phone, this been the case the alarm should still be able to dial out, the only thing you will need to do is get the wiring changed so that the alarm is the 1st item on the line so it can disconnect any other item in use and then dial out.

As others have said, a IP dialer may be am option (connects to your ethernet network) or a 2G dialer and throw a pre-pay sim in it-which is exactly what I have done.

This is not reliable.

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gmball

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#1103206 6-Aug-2014 12:24

Inphinity: I would probably talk to AlarmNZ.

A few colleagues I have spoken with, recommended Kiwi Alarms or Garrison Alarms. Does anyone have any experience or can recommend/not recommend either of these firms?

Shock

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#1103230 6-Aug-2014 12:41

We had our alarm converted to IP monitoring so it is not reliant on any kind of phone (POTS or VOIP). Here is a bit on it: http://www.safegard.co.nz/ip-broadband-monitoring.html

Works great and I have a UPS to maintain power to the Chorus gear + modem should the power go out, alarm has a backup battery anyway so my alarm continues to work :)

Connecting to UFB? Go with Bigpipe and use this link for free credit!

timmmay

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#1103360 6-Aug-2014 14:56

Cost about $200 to get my alarm to use IP instead of POTS. I also have a cellular backup, which was part of the original install, but proved unreliable.

linw

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#1103451 6-Aug-2014 16:27

Do you know why the cell backup was unreliable? Dial or SMS fail?

timmmay

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#1103457 6-Aug-2014 16:38

linw: Do you know why the cell backup was unreliable? Dial or SMS fail?

They never did a lot of diagnosis. The general idea I was given was the alarm couldn't make a data connection with the 2 degrees tower. I couldn't be bothered putting in a different SIM card because it didn't happen all that often, I just put it over my home internet connection.

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nakedmolerat

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#1103474 6-Aug-2014 16:46

Just use GSM module for monitoring.

Our local alarm company didn't charge for it if you sign contract. Cheap and simple. No need to worry about UPS for the router etc. It can run fine on the alarm backup battery for few days.