Do you need to pay for a landline to have a security system?

[CrzyforPiglet]

I have a tendency to ramble so I'll try to be as clear and brief as possible Basically we moved into our current house 18 months ago, there is a security system already installed but we've never had it monitored - actually we've never even turned it on and I'm not sure I have the code from the prior owners to try it. I know there is power running to the system b/c a red light will flash if a door is left open. Well the other thread about security systems had me thinking that if the cost to have it monitored was small enough (after a homeowners discount) then maybe it would be a good idea since robberies are up in our area and a home in the development just up the road was robbed last month. The thing is that we were also thinking of cancelling our home phone. We pay $30 a month to have a landline with no frills at all so basically we pay the money for people to be able to call us which just seems silly. We also have an extra cell phone already (another story) so I was going to cancel the landline and just use the extra cell as our home phone but if I'm not paying for a landline into the house will I be able to activate the security system? I know there are two phone lines coming into the house already and have always just assumed one is for the home phone and one is for the system. If we pay to have the security system monitored does our monthly fee cover the cost of the phone line? As you can tell I know nothing about our system. Please help!

 

[beansmom]

you need a landline for a security system and no, they don't pay for the phone line.

 

[redlawyer]

Call the alarm company. They will come out and give you a tutorial. Our company can install a system that has a wireless phone as part of the system. In case your phone lines are cut. You might pay extra for the installation of this system, but you wouldn't have to maintain a land line. I would really like to get rid of our land line, but with kids, its easier to keep it.

 

[DH-2-mamaduck]

No, you do not need a land line for security system. They have wireless systems, but you pay more for that service. Mine uses land-line, friend uses wireless (no land-line in the house) but do not recall the cost difference.

I know a lot of people that do not have a land-line. Why pay the $30/mo when you can have the "Family Plan" and have several cell phones. We actually have a land line cause the kids use it all the time to talk w/ friends....but just a matter of time before it goes unless they drop the rate to $10/mo...

 

[DISdreamin']

As others have said, no land line needed - our security system has no land line. In fact, our house was never connected to a land line period. We have digital phone and internet through our cable provider and have never had an actual phone line, although the house is wired for phone, just in case.

 

[minnie1928]

Just a word of caution for those using the wireless systems. My best friend/neighbors had one installed and paid $300+ to have just the wireless capability added to their existing system (previously used landline). Fast forward a few years and they sell the house. The new owners did not use the same alarm company and the wireless system was removed and/or replaced by their new alarm company. My friend got a bill several months after the sale demanding payment of $275 for the wireless unit. They claimed that the unit was supposed to be returned to them if the service was terminated. Long story short, they threatened to take them (my friends) to court unless the payment was made. Since my friends now live across the country, it was cheaper to pay their demands than it was to buy a plane ticket and take off work to fight it. Regardless, they were pretty ticked about the whole thing!

 

[SOnotLayuh]

Our security company is able to monitor us through our Vonage service (you have to the router up to the highest quality setting... no extra charge, and it has never slowed our internet or anything). We get 500 minutes/month through Vonage for 17.99$.

We LOVE Vonage and have been with them for about 2 years. My Mom has been with them for about 3. You can get a one month trial for absolutely nothing to test them out - if you're interested let me know and I can set you up! You'll never go back to a normal land line! There's no long distance, either.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I think it depends on the alarm company. Our system requires a land line, but some friends of ours have a wireless one.

 

[Purseval]

We have a wireless system and it does cost more for monitoring than a landline-based security system, but not as much as it would cost to have the actual landline in the house.

 

[rparmfamily]

We don't need a landline for our security system.

 

[bonoriffic]

You need either a VOIP provider or a wireless setup. The wireless setup is really meant as a backup for when the primary line goes down (due to a storm or someone attempting to cut your line in an attempt to circumvent the system). Usually the wireless option is a much more expensive option.

If you use VOIP, your alarm company should support it but may require a new board installed in your alarm system. That may or may not be an extra charge. You may lose some functionality with VOIP compared to a land line. We lost the clock on the keypad when we switched to VOIP. Weird but not a deal breaker. Also if you don't have unlimited minutes with VOIP, your alarm may "phone home" every day which could potentially use up all your minutes. We had that option disabled.

Non-monitored services can use just an internet connection, it doesn't have to be a VOIP phone. That is much cheaper, but has its own limitations. The alarm going off itself is the biggest deterrent, so ultimately it doesn't matter if the system doesn't automatically contact the police for you. If you are concerned about fire and medical emergencies, then a monitored system is the best choice.

 

[camlace]

Just a word of caution for those using the wireless systems. My best friend/neighbors had one installed and paid $300+ to have just the wireless capability added to their existing system (previously used landline). Fast forward a few years and they sell the house. The new owners did not use the same alarm company and the wireless system was removed and/or replaced by their new alarm company. My friend got a bill several months after the sale demanding payment of $275 for the wireless unit. They claimed that the unit was supposed to be returned to them if the service was terminated. Long story short, they threatened to take them (my friends) to court unless the payment was made. Since my friends now live across the country, it was cheaper to pay their demands than it was to buy a plane ticket and take off work to fight it. Regardless, they were pretty ticked about the whole thing!

Sounds like they didn't read the fine print to me...I would guess there was some type of termination clause in the contract similar to cell phones/cable contracts. So lesson learned for your friend and OP make sure you read the terms and conditions of the contract you are signing with the alarm company.

 

[beansmom]

well....i learn sumthin new every day.

 

[Cibahwewah]

We did this just a few weeks ago, in fact. We were paying $30 a month just to have a dial tone and we got mostly solicitation calls (despite the no-call list) so we terminated the land line. Bellsouth has been a royal PITA about the DSL service though. Anyway, we have the security system through a local company, the same ones that installed it when the house was built 5 yrs ago. They put in a wireless/cellular based system for $190 one time fee, no contracts. The monitoring went up from $20 to $27 per month. In the long run, it will save us money, and it's safer, since there are no wires that can be cut or disconnected from outside the house. We also ditched the Verizon family share plan with Blackberrys and the $30/ea/mo data plan and got 2 prepaid TracFones but that's another story.

 

[tink_n_pooh]

Our alarm system requires a landline, I think it really depends on the company you use

 

[ceecee]

Ours also requires a landline. We use Broadview.

 

[5stljayhawks]

Not if it goes wroof or bang.

 

[geek]

Nextalarm.com sells an ABN Broadband Adapter which allows you to connect your existing alarm panel to the internet for monitoring. Their web site lists all of the alarm panels that are compatable with the ABN. The price is $115 for the device and then you pay standard monitoring fees. Considering you pay $30 a month for a phone line, it can easily pay for itself.

 

[RooRach0906]

Ours also requires a landline. We use Broadview.

Broadview (Brinks) does not required landline. In fact they have 3 options... one is the landline, One is with the wireless router and one with a GSM which uses AT&T wireless (data) network.
Price differences.... to install landline basic system $99, wireless basic $175 and GSM basic $295 and the monitoring is landline basic $31.99, wireless basic $36.99, and GSM (basic) $41.99.
My DH works for them not a sell person but I asked the pricing and he gave me all the just basic one. He installs and he said he thinks the best option is the GSM in general bc there is no way to cut the line so that you would always have security... as long as you had good AT&T coverage in the area.
Hope that helps at all!!

 

[nexttrip4us]

We have Brinks and we still use ours with a landline. We didn't get digital phone for that reason--if your internet service goes done, no phone, no connection to the monitoring. We may look into the GSM that the prev poster mentioned though.