Specialty Devices
Contact us now to see if you qualify for a $99 Install!
1 (844) 91:PSALM
SOUTHERN ALARMS SERVICE PLANS
*Below are standard (i.e. max) rates of service; promotional discounts of
up to 20% may be available; contact us to see if you qualify.
Basic Landline/VOIP Monitoring (w/o QSP): $27.99 mo.
Basic Landline/VOIP Monitoring (w/ QSP): $36.99 mo.
LTE/Cellular Communication: $47.99 mo.
LTE/Cellular w/ ADT Control: $53.99 mo.
LTE/Cellular w/ ADT Control + Home Automation / Video: $64.99 mo.
***all LTE/Cellular packages include QSP (Quality Service Plan)
TAKE A MOMENT:
Understanding Basic Alarm Terminology
(Hardwired vs Wireless) (Wireless vs Wireless)
When it comes to Security Systems, the term "wireless" is often misunderstood and/or misused. Security equipment can be hardwired, or wireless (meaning that the physical equipment is either hardwired back to the main panel, or that it communicates wirelessly back to the main panel). Just because the physical equipment is "wireless" does not necessarily mean that it is communicating to the Central Monitoring Station (ADT) wirelessly. Someone can have all wireless equipment in their home, but it may communicate to ADT over a "wire" (e.g. a traditional Telephone Landline). A customer may also have a traditional hardwired security system in their home, that communicates to the Central Monitoring Station wirelessly (i.e. over a GS/Cellular Network: just like a regular cellphone).
In terms of Hardwired vs. Wireless Equipment, there is not a super-significant advantage (or disadvantage) between the two. Obviously, wireless equipment is easier to install, maintain, replace, relocate, etc., etc. The problems with wires - in general - is that they deteriorate over time, they are susceptible to getting cut/scraped/pinched/etc. and can cause a lot of problems and annoyances when they do. But if done properly, hardwired equipment still has its place, especially in very large applications (e.g. schools, warehouses, larger-than-average homes, etc.) In almost all scenarios, wireless equipment is the way to go, but again, the differences are not largely-significant, specifically as it relates to the integrity of the system overall. However, when it comes to the "communication" of the system (i.e. from the home/business to the Central Station) the concept of wired vs. wireless takes on a whole different level of significance.
There are - essentially - four methods of communication that a system can use: 1) Landline Telephone, 2) VOIP (i.e. the Internet), 3) GSM Radio (i.e. "Cellular"), and 4) Satellite. The first two methods - one way or another - are using a hard-line/wire/cable, and are thus very susceptible to tampering, cutting, outages, and all-out failures. VOIP is the most vulnerable, in that it has multiple points at which it can fail: the actual line itself, and also at the point of the router. Very few companies utilize satellite communications for security purposes; it is only used in remote locations where there is no other option. Therefore, when the term "wireless" is used in reference to the Communication of a security site, we are talking about a GSM Radio, or "Cellular". This has nothing to do with the customer's personal cellphone. Just because the Monitoring company calls the customer on their cellphone when the alarm goes off, does not mean that the security system is communicating over a cellular network. In a true case of Cellular communication, the main security panel in the home or business - in a very literal way - has its very own private "cell phone" that it uses to call-out to the Central Station over existing cell towers in the area. This method of communication for a security system is - without question - the most secure and reliable choice for any security system. And since it typically only costs about $10 more (per month) than the cost of traditional landline monitoring, it is highly-recommended that all users choose this option for their system.