Overview of GSM Alarm Monitoring

In today's high tech world, almost everybody owns a mobile phone. The perception is that GSM networks are very reliable and rarely suffer from network outages. This makes GSM a viable platform for alarm communications and three different technologies can be employed for signal transmission - SMS, Voice and Data.

The reliability of SMS varies greatly from country to country and delays in message delivery rule it out from being considered a serious option in countries where messages can often be delayed for many hours. In countries that do not experience such delays, SMS can be a good low cost method of alarm communication, however, it is often not popular with alarm monitoring companies as it opens up the possibility of DIY Alarm Monitoring where messages can be sent directly to the end users mobile phone.

The use of a GSM Dialer/Communicator allows an alarm panel modem to dial out and make a phone call to the Monitoring Centre over the GSM network. When a conventional analogue alarm receiver answers the call, an audio/voice channel is opened up and the alarm panel can communicate with the receiver just as it would over a PSTN line. This technology benefits from being alarm protocol independent and industry experts claim a transmission success rate of somewhere between 80% and 100%. Both SMS and Voice benefit from low equipment costs and low network rates.

CONS: SMS and Voice technologies do not allow for the cost efficient supervision of a connection to the Monitoring Centre and often the first anyone gets to know about sabotage or network failure is when a scheduled signal, or worse, an emergency signal fails to arrive.

GPRS Wireless Networks

The use of a GPRS data plan overcomes this problem and allows constant supervision of the connection between the protected premises and the Monitoring Centre. A Cellular Alarm GPRS device uses the GSM network to achieve an "always on" wireless connection to the Internet. Once connected, it can communicate using Internet Protocols (IP) just like any other Internet enabled device. This allows the sending of regular heartbeats to the monitoring server so that any equipment failure, sabotage or loss of network can be detected within seconds.

GPRS devices do not support audio/voice communications, so any alarm signals using standard protocols such as Ademco Contact ID or Fast Format have to be converted from analogue to digital within the device itself. This is referred to as Dialer Capture. GPRS enabled devices are more expensive than SMS and Voice devices and the cost of data plans vary widely from country to country. Asian countries tend to have very reasonable rates whereas rates in North America are very restrictive. Some GPRS devices support Video Monitoring.

CONS: All of the GSM technologies are vulnerable to sabotage from a GSM Jammer which can be used to prevent devices from connecting to the network.

In Summary

The cost and availability of the various networks, existing equipment and infrastructure, insurance requirements and other concerns may ultimately determine which cellular products and solutions you chose for Alarm Monitoring.

Verifier GSM

The IP Alarms Verifier GSM is a device that allows an alarm panel to communicate directly with a conventional PSTN based alarm receiver at the ARC over the GSM Network. It is generally used as a secondary backup device for alarm monitoring, however, it can just as easily be used with voice dialers. It is alarm protocol independent and will transmit whatever comes out of the panel.

There is no recurring fee for this device and the only ongoing cost is that charged by the GSM network provider of your choice for their SIM card. As far as a conventional alarm receiver is concerned, it does not know the difference between an alarm signal sent over a landline and one sent from the Verifier GSM over the GSM network. Simply plug the alarm panel, alarm dialer or digital communicator into the first RJ11 socket on the Verifier for a single path solution. If you require a dual path solution, the device can be connected to a Linksys SPA3102 VoIP Alarm adapter. If the IP network is available, it will be used to transmit alarms. If the landline is cut or the internet connection lost, alarms from the panel will be sent by the Verifier via the GSM network. Two way voice is supported for audio Verified confirmation of security alarms and for medical monitoring.

GSM alarm communicators offer customers and installers the opportunity to monitor and secure properties over any mobile phone network without a telephone landline. Great for Alarm Monitoring.

The Verifier GSM is a simple, cost-effective 4 channel alarm signalling device, which works on any network, transmitting SMS and Contact ID. Ideal for use in places with no hardwired phone line, for rapid deployment situations and for mobile alarm signalling.

GSM alarm diallers are used for additional protection where a telephone landline can be cut thus rendering a standard alarm auto-dialler useless.

An inexpensive and reliable GSM Alarm Autodialler that transmits pre-recorded speech messages to different telephone numbers is especially suitable for locations, where there is no fixed telephone. When an alarm input is activated it automatically dials pre-programmed telephone numbers and a SMS text message is sent.

GSM Alarms can help protect your family from the threat of burglary, intruders, and other emergencies