Many other alarm manufacturers have been using alarm over IP for a few years now (Honeywell, GE, DMP and now Napco that I know of). I personaly have tested some of these systems and sent hundreds if not over a thousand test signals over the internet. Only twice did an alarm not go through and it was due to a system in place with one of the manufacturers equipment to surpress a runaway alarm panel (it thought the test account had a panel that was constantly transmitting the same alarm tieing up the system).
I think the central stations want the IP since it is actually cheaper for them to provide service (once enough people convert) then using dial up which requires a significant amount of phone lines. Some monitoring companies actually have the alarms received by dial up and then retransmit them via IP to the next available operator in whichever office has availablity at the moment.
The biggest obstacles seem to be educating the consumer that they cant disrupt or change their broadband access without disabling the central station monitoring.
I think the central stations want the IP since it is actually cheaper for them to provide service (once enough people convert) then using dial up which requires a significant amount of phone lines. Some monitoring companies actually have the alarms received by dial up and then retransmit them via IP to the next available operator in whichever office has availablity at the moment.
The biggest obstacles seem to be educating the consumer that they cant disrupt or change their broadband access without disabling the central station monitoring.
