How internet telephones work
Internet phone companies utilize a wonderful tech-nology that can save you money by eliminating the need for both local and long distance phone service. This technology (known as Voice over Internet Protocol or VoIP) works by “translating” standard telephone signals and sending those signals over a broadband internet connection such as DSL or cable.
Because VoIP is a relatively new technology the translation and transmission process has only recently become good enough for voice conversations. Even now, it is not uncommon for a phone conversation over the internet to experience poor line conditions like unusually long pauses between words, echoes, or additional unexplained background noise.

How alarm systems work
When your alarm panel sends an alarm over a standard telephone connection it uses special sounds that are understood by an electronic device at a central station called a receiver. The receiver trans-lates those sounds as a specific alarm or event. Once the receiver “hears” and “understands” what your alarm system is sending, it repeats the sounds back to your alarm system for confirmation. Your alarm system “listens” to the receiver to make sure that the sounds the receiver is sending match the sounds the alarm system sent.
If the sounds match, then the alarm panel will send another sound that means “yes.” If the sounds do not match then the alarm panel will send a sound that means “no” and then the panel will resend the alarm. If the receiver does not understand the sounds sent by your alarm, the receiver will send a sound to your alarm system saying “I did not understand. Resend.” The whole process is repeated until the either alarm panel confirms that the receiver heard correctly, or one of the devices “gives up.” If the receiver gives up, it will log the signals as “unrecognized.” If the alarm panel gives up, it will attempt to call the receiver again.

Why alarm systems do not work with internet telephones
The problem with using an internet telephone to transmit alarms is this: Alarm panels and central station receivers “hear” the poor telephone line conditions (the extra background noise and long pauses) on a VoIP call as part of their “conversation” and become confused. In the confusion, each side will continue attempting to communicate until one side gives up or one side will think communication has happened but the other side will still be confused.
This failure to communicate means that your burglar or fire alarm will never make it into the hands of an operator who can dispatch the police or fire department. Most likely no one will respond, unless someone actually hears the alarm at your home or business and does something about it.

How to stay secure and realize the cost benefits of VoIP
The simplest way to ensure that your alarm is monitored is to keep your old phone line even if you switch to an internet telephone service. The downside to keeping your old phone line is you still have to pay local telephone charges for the line. your VoIP phone including cancelling your local tele-phone service. This technology includes the use of
long-range radio as well as alarm panels that connect to our central station through the internet.
These products will allow your alarm system to stay connected to the central station. So, if you are thinking of making the switch to an internet phone company, call us. We’ll help you keep safe while you are saving money.
For more information contact us.
Phone: 800-662-2512 Fax: 801-399-0187
E-mail: voip@mountainalarm.com