Originally published May 5 2005
Vonage and Alarm.com to offer home alarm systems that rely on VoIP instead of landlines
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Most alarm systems rely on standard landlines to connect homes to alarm companies, but Vonage is working with Alarm.com to provide the service to voice over IP (VoIP) subscribers. By providing customers with the opportunity to use VoIP for their alarm system connections, Vonage hopes to bring new customers to its service. However, Vonage has yet to provide 911 services that are as efficient as the service provided by Baby Bells. In fact, this problem is currently under investigation. However, it is probably safe to assume that Vonage will make sure that the problem is resolved so that there will be fewer reasons for customers not to sign up for VoIP.
Net phone operator Vonage has teamed up with Alarm.com to tackle a common problem that has kept some consumers with home alarm systems from subscribing to Internet phone services.
Home and office security provider Alarm.com has begun marketing Vonage along with its own equipment in an effort to appeal to people who may want voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service but are already tied to a landline phone via their alarm systems.
Typically, home alarm systems require consumers to have a traditional phone line from one of the Bell telephone companies--Verizon Communications, Qwest Communications International, BellSouth and SBC Communications.
That means consumers with home alarms are often less likely to sign up for phone service from VoIP providers such as Vonage.
With VoIP, calls travel over the unregulated Internet, thus avoiding the traditional phone taxes and regulations normally associated with local phone calls.
By inextricably linking their alarms to the Bells' phone lines, security companies are forcing VoIP converts to sign up for local phone service instead, according to executives from Vonage and Alarm.com.
The deal is a signal that Vonage, and presumably other VoIP operators, are continuing to focus on major issues with their services.
Perhaps biggest of all is VoIP's failure to provide a 911 service that matches the efficiency of the Bells' emergency service.
The issue is now the subject of intense federal and state regulatory scrutiny.
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