meowsqueak:

 

timmmay:

 

cellular is probably going to be more reliable, and mine uses so little data it actually expires before it runs out.

 

 

Do you know if there's a "standard" interface in play here, that would allow me to set up my own cellular (or even IP) "bridge", and then engage any security company to do the monitoring using my own choice of bridge? Or does the bridge need to be supplied and installed by each security company, to comply with their proprietary configuration?

 

Just trying to work out where the ownership/configuration "boundary" is between property owner and security company.

 

There are multiple standards - most alarms use ContactID for POTS (High speed DTMF with specific Engage and kissoff tones that compressed codecs play with)

For IP, you can get an alarm receiver that will communicate via POTS to the alarm and convert to an IP string that is then sent over the internet - this will work on almost any alarm.

The IP modules are panel specific, but allow for 2 way communication.

Cellular modules usually connect in 1 of the above 2 ways, however don't usually allow 2 way comms.