Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
Currently burglar and fire alarm signals are transmitted from the home or business to a central monitoring station over the phone lines. In many cases Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) systems will become a substitute for the current land line systems. When a VoIP (broadband) phone system is improperly installed, by either a consumer or a cable provider, there is a significant risk that existing alarm panels will be bypassed and no longer be able to send an alert to the alarm monitoring station. This is a problem which can easily be remedied if the consumer is notified and told that his/her system needs to be tested. The Alarm Industry is proposing that Congress enact a provision which would require that before a VoIP system is activated, the customer is notified that the system needs to be tested.
