Re: VoIP transmission troubles

[tourman <robercampbell@xxxxxxxxx>]

On Apr 23, 7:51 pm, "Rob" <rdvorak...@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> We have had the same issue.  Some of our rural phone providers are going
> digital also, which is reaking havoc on other accounts with bogus signals.
> Unfortunately, some of these areas have zero GSM coverage with the Honeywell
> or Telgard radio/cell backup.  4x2 seems to help over CID.  But, the problem
> still exists.  Our only option has been an internet communicator.  We lease
> the radio and a UPS for the router and modem.  The customer will need a
> broadband service.  For the comunicator to send a test signal every few
> minutes has little effect on the bandwith.
>
> "tourman" <robercampb...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
>
> news:b359e163-7cc9-48a5-beb1-ac0c49ee86a1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
> > I'd like to hear from some of the regulars about their experiences
> > with alarm transmission over VoIP.
>
> > I have one customer who without my knowledge changed to VoIP from a
> > Bell line, and then asked me to hook up the panel using his new
> > service. I did so reluctantly, but only after he signed a legal
> > agreement limiting liability, and with the express understanding it
> > was being done experimentally. I programmed in a daily test and kept
> > watch each morning for failures to communicate. It seemed to stop
> > transmitting only very occasionally, until one day it started sending
> > "ghost" signals which resulted in a police dispatch on the wrong
> > account number. The panel was programmed in Contact ID, but it seems
> > when the signal went out on the network, it transposed a "6 " in the
> > account code for a "5". Then the comedy of errors increased when the
> > station failed to check the CID (where they would have picked up that
> > it was coming from the wrong phone number) and dispatched the police.
> > Needless to say, I had an unhappy client who couldn't understand why
> > the cops arrived...(and yes, the account number in the panel IS
> > properly programmed...).
>
> > Bottom line, I disconnected the customer's service until and unless
> > the client chooses to get a proper communication medium. He claims
> > there are other companies who will hook him up successfully, but I
> > suspect they just might be more interested in his business than his
> > security system. The problem is of course, they could tell him
> > anything about his alarm and he would likely agree, not ever really
> > knowing if the panel is communicating properly or not.....
>
> > Anyone else experiencing these kind of problems and if so, have you
> > come up with any solutions (other than the obvious one of getting
> > proper phone service). I hated to lose this client of many years, but
> > at least for the moment, I don't see any other alternative if it's
> > affecting other customers.

RHC: To their credit, ADT early on said that their salesmen were not
to sell an alarm to customers who didn't have a conventional land
line. However, that was several years ago, and I would be interested
to hear if they have since come up with a solution. They stand to lose
more than most with the tidal wave of people switching to VoIP for
their phone service. Is there anyone here from ADT who might be able
to answer that question ?