If you are considering cancelling your landline while planning a renovation project or changing over to ultra fast broadband, it’s a good idea to check whether your home security system will work without it. Traditional alarm systems use an analogue connection to send signals down the old copper phone-lines to the Matrix Security call centre.

However, there are alternative ways for your alarm system to communicate with our call centre, which may be more effective. For a number of years the most common alternative to analogue signalling was via broadband internet (DSL). With the introduction of ultra-fast broadband (UFB) customers are combining this with either internet protocol (IP) or cellular monitoring, with the added benefit of greater flexibility and control when you are away from home. Having an IP-based alarm also allows imaging to be streamed live to your smart phone, iOS or tablet. Video cameras, access control mechanisms or sensors of any kind can be added. It is the most secure and cost-effective alarm solution available, and the good news is we can even utilise much of your existing alarm system!

Please call Nicole on (09) 579 1567 or email us at service@matrixsecurity.co.nz if you would like to find out how to upgrade your existing alarm system to an IP-based network, particularly if you’re upgrading to ultra fast broadband.

IP vs cellular monitoring

An increasing number of our customers have moved to IP (Internet Protocol) monitoring, which allows alarm signals to be sent via an internet connection, using a small device connected between your alarm and the router or modem. In these situations we also recommend installing an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) unit. This is a mains-powered device with battery back-up, which continues to operate your router even when there is a power outage.

With the roll out of ultra-fast broadband (fibre optic cable), some customers are choosing to integrate IP monitoring with cellular communication to maintain connectivity with our call centre, in the event their broadband signal is compromised.

For cellular monitoring to operate, a wireless device and SIM card is inserted into the alarm panel and a signal is sent to our call centre through the mobile network. However, cellular monitoring incurs additional costs of transferring data via the mobile network.

Android and iOS apps are commonly provided with the latest IP alarm systems which have the added benefit of allowing remote arming and disarming, status checks and more from your phone or tablet. For more information about updating your alarm system, please call Nicole on (09) 579 1567 or email us at service@matrixsecurity.co.nz.