ADT monitored alarm - needs to be replaced because of 3G closedown but don't want to spend $999!

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › ADT monitored alarm - needs to be replaced because of 3G closedown but don't want to spend $999!

lchiu7

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#320294 28-Jul-2025 14:38

My monitored alarm from ADT which is a DSC Impassa device. ADT has told me that due to the 3G shutdown the unit has to be replaced. Earlier they offered an upgrade to 4G but that is no longer being sold and they are recommending one of these units.

https://www.amazon.com/Qolsys-Panel-Protection-Automation-Integrate/dp/B0BV9RLSZM

Except they are charging $999 for the unit and installation.

I did some checking on GZ and found a thread that these products might help

https://konnected.io/collections/konnected-alarm-panel-pro-kits

But I need alarm monitoring services

Can anybody suggest any alternatives - even a different monitoring company?

Thanks

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

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#3397677 28-Jul-2025 14:45

I've just gone through this with them too. Take a look at https://www.aap.co.nz/shop/Alarm+Systems/Modules/IP-MODULE.html
There's also a 4G module

lchiu7

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#3397678 28-Jul-2025 14:50

pureinception:

I've just gone through this with them too. Take a look at https://www.aap.co.nz/shop/Alarm+Systems/Modules/IP-MODULE.html
There's also a 4G module

Thanks. How does get installed into the existing panel?

I was also looking at a different dialer

https://ness.com.au/106-490NS

Can get this from DickSmith of all places

https://www.dicksmith.co.nz/dn/buy/mad-electronics-australia-ness-3g4g-dialler-964/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=product_listing_ads&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17427260852&gbraid=0AAAAADbV1QyWhQ3R5Ixa61xiseg-JwpQn&gclid=Cj0KCQjwnJfEBhCzARIsAIMtfKLh8rba2QMj2Pm3WlO7P6VOejxaMLfdunhN9etFTyvLiPVw8qvcaBAaAuLpEALw_wcB

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mentalinc

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#3397734 28-Jul-2025 15:33

Do you need "monitoring' by a third party Or do you just need your phone to be notified when the alarm is activated?

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acsylaa

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#3397745 28-Jul-2025 15:45

lchiu7:

My monitored alarm from ADT which is a DSC Impassa device. ADT has told me that due to the 3G shutdown the unit has to be replaced. Earlier they offered an upgrade to 4G but that is no longer being sold and they are recommending one of these units.

https://www.amazon.com/Qolsys-Panel-Protection-Automation-Integrate/dp/B0BV9RLSZM

Except they are charging $999 for the unit and installation.

I did some checking on GZ and found a thread that these products might help

https://konnected.io/collections/konnected-alarm-panel-pro-kits

But I need alarm monitoring services

Can anybody suggest any alternatives - even a different monitoring company?

Thanks

Thats Typical ADT, this guide should give you some insight https://www.alarmgrid.com/faq/how-do-i-upgrade-a-dsc-impassa-to-use-lte

You could always try another DSC Specialist to get a second opinion on it all, as looking at that guide, it looks to be just a module replacement.

lchiu7

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#3397762 28-Jul-2025 16:30

mentalinc:

Do you need "monitoring' by a third party Or do you just need your phone to be notified when the alarm is activated?

I would prefer third party monitoring since they also come over to check unless I call them back

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

lchiu7

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#3397763 28-Jul-2025 16:31

acsylaa:

lchiu7:

My monitored alarm from ADT which is a DSC Impassa device. ADT has told me that due to the 3G shutdown the unit has to be replaced. Earlier they offered an upgrade to 4G but that is no longer being sold and they are recommending one of these units.

https://www.amazon.com/Qolsys-Panel-Protection-Automation-Integrate/dp/B0BV9RLSZM

Except they are charging $999 for the unit and installation.

I did some checking on GZ and found a thread that these products might help

https://konnected.io/collections/konnected-alarm-panel-pro-kits

But I need alarm monitoring services

Can anybody suggest any alternatives - even a different monitoring company?

Thanks

Thats Typical ADT, this guide should give you some insight https://www.alarmgrid.com/faq/how-do-i-upgrade-a-dsc-impassa-to-use-lte

You could always try another DSC Specialist to get a second opinion on it all, as looking at that guide, it looks to be just a module replacement.

I found I could buy the LTE device from Ebay but would ADT install it?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/124672351776?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D289496%26meid%3D471d248ed676454abfebf296cd27aaf7%26pid%3D101506%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D10%26sd%3D144497772946%26itm%3D124672351776%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D4481478%26algv%3DDefaultOrganicWebWithV11WebTrimmedV3VisualRankerWithKnnV3AndUltBRecallAndCassiniEmbRecall%26brand%3DTYCO&_trksid=p4481478.c101506.m1851

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acsylaa

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#3397801 28-Jul-2025 20:05

lchiu7:

I found I could buy the LTE device from Ebay but would ADT install it?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/124672351776?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D289496%26meid%3D471d248ed676454abfebf296cd27aaf7%26pid%3D101506%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D10%26sd%3D144497772946%26itm%3D124672351776%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D4481478%26algv%3DDefaultOrganicWebWithV11WebTrimmedV3VisualRankerWithKnnV3AndUltBRecallAndCassiniEmbRecall%26brand%3DTYCO&_trksid=p4481478.c101506.m1851

I doubt it, as they didnt sell it to you.

MurrayM

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#3397920 29-Jul-2025 08:33

In the past I've found ADT to be quite difficult to deal with. Years ago they installed an alarm in our home and when they finished I asked for the alarm manual. They gave me a small 6 page manual for operating the keypad. I said no, the manual for the actual alarm, with all the details on how to program it. They insisted that they never give those out because people stuff up their alarms. I insisted that the manual is part of the alarm system and I'm entitled to it, and eventually they begrudgingly gave it to me.

lchiu7

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#3397980 29-Jul-2025 11:35

acsylaa:

lchiu7:

I found I could buy the LTE device from Ebay but would ADT install it?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/124672351776?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D289496%26meid%3D471d248ed676454abfebf296cd27aaf7%26pid%3D101506%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D10%26sd%3D144497772946%26itm%3D124672351776%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D4481478%26algv%3DDefaultOrganicWebWithV11WebTrimmedV3VisualRankerWithKnnV3AndUltBRecallAndCassiniEmbRecall%26brand%3DTYCO&_trksid=p4481478.c101506.m1851

I doubt it, as they didnt sell it to you.

I spoke to a local ADT aurhorised installer. They said if I had my own module ADT probably would not allow me to connect to them. So I would need to find another monitoring company. But they had a 4G module in stock and if I asked ADT to ask them to install it, it would be supported. No idea of the cost yet but hopefully less than $999!

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lchiu7

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#3398107 29-Jul-2025 20:34

pureinception:

I've just gone through this with them too. Take a look at https://www.aap.co.nz/shop/Alarm+Systems/Modules/IP-MODULE.html
There's also a 4G module

Not sure what you did with those modules? Can you describe your final solution? Thanks

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

mattwnz

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#3398110 29-Jul-2025 21:03

Maybe contact another company and see what they can offer you as a monitored package.

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pureinception

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#3398123 29-Jul-2025 22:01

lchiu7:

pureinception:

I've just gone through this with them too. Take a look at https://www.aap.co.nz/shop/Alarm+Systems/Modules/IP-MODULE.html
There's also a 4G module

Not sure what you did with those modules? Can you describe your final solution? Thanks

I opted to build and program my own module to save costs (made for under $30). It works on the same premise of ContactID to CSV-IP which is supported by ADT. I plan to add a 4g module to this as a failover.

The module linked can be installed in your alarm panel and connected to the dialler. Also need to connect ethernet too.

Wellingtondave

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#3399136 1-Aug-2025 21:00

Tell the sales person that you'll commit to X years of monitoring if they upgrade the alarm at low cost (make an offer that's worth it to you) or at their cost.

They want the ongoing revenue and won't lose it for an alarm that cost $200 in parts and some labour for the switch.

lchiu7

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#3399825 4-Aug-2025 10:14

Just an update on the above. Thanks to information provided by Pureinception, I have made some progress on this.

Firstly did some digging around and found this replacemet dialler but it wasn't clear if it would work with my unit even though the docs suggest it would.

I recently had an ADT authorised service person come to my house to try to install a new battery in my external alarm/flashing light but that was not successful as the battery was dead. As a background ADT said they don't provide that battery anymore and I had to source my own! I found a supplier on AliExpress and has it shipped over. But the installer said, the reason ADT won't provide them anymore as they are known to be flaky and can die in transit. I guess that is what happened to mine.

Anyway he suggested not to bother getting anymore and all I lose is the external alarm and all the internal ones will still work, as will calling ADT.

I showed him the module (above) and asked if he could install it and he said he wasn't familiar with it but he had a spare 4G module in stock that ADT said was no longer available and if I contacted ADT and told them he had a spare, they would send me an email and authorise him to install it. That would be $600.

But the Pureinception advised me that I could actually install a module from Arrowhead. the IP one to avoid the 3G issue and needing a SIM card.

I found an installer who could install and configure this module for me and he quoted me $400+G to do it. I would need to get internet to my garage and I am looking at either use a Powerline adapter (I use a couple in my house now) or using a replaced Asus router and configure it in Client Mode so it just takes the WiFi signal from my existing WiFi router and provides an internet connection via the RJ45 ports.

$400+G is better than $600 but I would like to do better.

These guys said they could attach their dialler to my DSC unit and it would call them and they are affiliated to an alarm monitoring company. That would cost me $170 to install and $36/month for monitoring with no hardware cost. That looked really tempting but they have no way to monitor or activate the alarm remotely which is a feature I like.

So my options are either

Go with the $600 module from the ADT agent
Go for the Arrowhead module for $400+G
Buy the Arrowhead unit myself for $175 from here https://www.thesecurityoutlet.co.nz/products/ip-module-universal-pstn-to-lan-reporting-module-for-monitoring-over-internet?pr_prod_strat=e5_desc&pr_rec_id=e77610ab5&pr_rec_pid=8920845189418&pr_ref_pid=8920845156650&pr_seq=uniform and install it mysef. ADT has given me all the configurations I need to use to install it to use IP. I am not sure they can really stop me from doing this since it's my DSC panel and if I continue to pay the $51/month do they really care?

I would like to go with 3. but I am not confident in my ability to install it

Has anybody done this and if so can you share any tips?

Thanks

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

bfginger

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#3400173 5-Aug-2025 16:40

That Arrowhead phone-to-IP module is only $55 less than what Garrisonalarms is charging for a phone-to-4G module, new battery, and the installation of both if you sign up to their monitoring.

Been through this with family - phone calls and emails about how your 3G device needs to be replaced with a whole new unit. Except it doesn't use 3G. So I wonder how many just agreed to upgrades of fixtured devices for the 3G shutdown without understanding their true situation.

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