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Security Industry Terminology
Wireless vs. Hardwired
Many confuse a wireless system with not going through the phone line, and other security companies will mislead you. These two features are NOT mutually exclusive.
- Potential client: “I don’t want to depend on my land line to protect my home”
- Misleading Rep: “That’s okay…we use wireless.”
In the years past, security systems were all hardwired. This means that if you are wanting a system installed for an existing home, you were sometimes out of luck (especially with no crawl or attic space), and at a bare minimum would have installers in your home for SEVERAL hours, putting countless holes in your beautiful home. These systems were typically run through a land line telephone, as well as 2way voice NOT being standard. Thank you technology...enter wireless. With the introduction to wireless security, clients are getting much more bang for the buck. No holes throughout their house. Installs completed in an hour and a half. Not having to rely on a land line. 2way Voice. Free system moves becoming the norm. And maybe most important of all is the fact that the wireless systems can use almost all existing equipment (hardwired or wireless). So for all you homeowners with older hardwired systems still relying on your land line…No reason to re-invent the wheel. You may use all existing equipment, drop your land line, and go Wireless. Over 90% of new installs we do are wireless.
Two-Way Voice
Monitronics has the largest two-way voice command center in the United States. Most of the larger companies do offer 2Way Voice.. However, they will charge $5 even $10 more a month.
Traditionally, when an alarm goes off, the monitoring company will call the home phone line in an attempt to verify the emergency. Ring..ring..ring..no answer. It will then proceed to go down the list of numbers provided by the homeowner until it reaches someone. At that point they will dispatch the authorities that an alarm has triggered. This is typically a #10 priority (or worse) level for the police. Upon arrival, the officer will go knock on the front door (if no visible signs of a break in). One of the biggest concerns of a security system without 2Way Voice is that what if someone IS home! The last thing that a “bad guy” is going to do is let you answer the phone. At which point, they will continue down the contact numbers until they get in touch with someone NOT at home(who has no idea there is a home invasion) and get the same #10 priority response.
With two way voice, the 911-certified Monitronics operator comes directly over the panel to verify your “safe word.” Because they actually have an ear on the inside of the house, a false alarm is not possible, and it will go across dispatch as “a verified 911 response” (a #3 priority for the police). If you ARE home, and you ARE IN a hostage/home invasion situation, giving the wrong "safe word" will prompt this from the operator: "OK, could you please repeat that?" Once the wrong safe word is given twice…"OK, have a great day"… Looks like the system is off. You can't hear them, but they hear everything going on during the hostage situation. Not only that, they can actually patch through to responding police, who knows to come with lights and sirens off. Fantastic technology!
Cell Backup vs. Cell Primary
With the average burglar becoming increasingly aware and educated, we have begun seeing many break-ins where the burglar will simply cut the phone and/or the power. In the past we have relied on a land line with a cellular backup unit. The problem with this is that if that phone line is cut, the system automatically has to attempt to connect via land line THREE separate times before switching over to the cell. That’s a lot of time when you or yours are in danger! Not only is 2Way Voice standard, but so is the Cell Primary! Which means... you will not need a phone line to protect your home and family! So businesses paying money monthly for a dedicated phone line, homeowners paying for a land line they never use, and most importantly break-ins occurring by simply cutting the phone line are a thing of the past...
We offer Cell Primary systems through AT&T, T-MOBILE, and VERIZON. The home office will match the address of client with coverage map and send the installer with the proper equipment.
We proudly provide the premier home and business security systems at affordable prices in Irmo, Columbia, and Lexington South Carolina. Call us for security systems and home automation.
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