Long distance carriers going with VoIP

[robertlbass@xxxxxxxxxxx]

Most of the early discussions of VoIP issues in this newsgroup have
centered on customers opting for VoIP systems, such as Vonage, without
telling the alarm dealer or central monitoring station of their
decision.  For most central stations and with most current technology
alarm control panels this can interfere with alarm signal transmission.
 I've stated before times that I believe VoIP (or something like it) is
going to replace POTS lines within a few years.  Now it seems there's
an even faster current flowing toward VoIP and those who don't want to
lose their shirts in this trade had better find a way to deal with it..

In the current issue of CEPro there's an article titled, "Telcos'
Switch to VoIP Wreaks Alarm Havoc."  Local phone companies are
beginning to switch their long distance services over to VoIP ...
without telling customers or alarm companies about it in advance.
According to the Dale Eller, NBFAA standards director, "it is our
understanding that *ALL* long distance providers will be employing
VoIP." (emphasis mine)

This could spell big trouble (and hefty cost increases) for big,
national monitoring companies as they will have to provide alternate
communications paths / hardware or lose their customer base.  Those of
us who don't care for the Monitonix' and P1's of this industry can
smile as they face astronomical costs just to maintain their present
RMR.  However, as CLECs begin employing the technology at the local
level, even the local dealer using a local central station will face
the same hurdles.

One remedy would be to have new panels designed to be compatible with
VoIP and some manufacturers are already working on that.  That will
make it possible to handle new installations without VoIP-phobia.  It
could also provide a major boost to sales as existing customers will
need to upgrade to new hardware.

Either way, those of us who sell online won't be hurt.  If alarm
companies start telling millions of customers all over the country that
they have to replace their systems or lose monitoring, a fair
percentage of those customers will opt to buy online.  Also, since most
online dealers don't rely on monitoring revenue as their major profit
centers, the changes will have almost zero negative affect.

Regards,
Robert L Bass
www.BassBurglarAlarms.com