Do I Need a Phone Line for a Home Security System?

No, you do not need a phone line for a home security system. In fact, we strongly encourage users to not use a phone line with their security system. Instead, it is much better to use a cellular connection with an alarm system. Even then, an IP connection is also superior over a phone line.

When used with a security system, a phone line connection is often referred to as a POTS connection. POTS stands for "Plain Old Telephone Service". The problem with a POTS connection is that it is extremely slow, and the signals do not always go through successfully. Additionally, a POTS connection can be physically tampered with by a potential intruder. For these reasons, we discourage users from using a POTS connection with any monitored alarm system.

For many years, a POTS connection with an active phone line was the only way for a home user to have a home security setup. But today, this is no longer the case. Now, most home security systems use either a cellular connection or an IP connection. Some systems will even use both IP and cellular connections in order to achieve a dual-path communication setup. This provides both the ultra-fast speeds of WIFI and the exceptional reliability of cellular service. However, when used individually, both IP and cellular service are significantly faster and more reliable than a POTS connection.

Additionally, there is no interactive service platform that works with a POTS connection. Total Connect 2.0, which is for Honeywell Systems only, can be accessed with either an IP or cellular connection. But Alarm.com, which is for alarm systems from other manufacturers, can only be used with a system that has an active cellular connection. Both of these interactive services provide many great features for end users, and they are strongly recommended.

In order to use an IP or cellular connection, the system will need to have an appropriate type of communicator installed. For some systems, an IP, cellular, or combination communicator will need to be purchased and added separately. But other systems will come with one or both of these communicators already installed. An example of an alarm system that comes with both an IP and a cellular communicator already installed is the Qolsys IQ Panel 2.

While both cellular and IP connectivity are vastly superior to a POTS connection, it must be mentioned that cellular service is the ultimate communication path for an alarm system. Cellular service offers phenomenal reliability overall. This is because cellular service almost never goes down or becomes unavailable. It is also unaffected by typical power outages, and it will keep the system monitored when the electricity goes out. Cellular service also offers speeds that are right on par with WIFI, so a user won't have to worry about slow communication when using a cellular connection.

Did you find this answer useful?

We offer alarm monitoring as low as $10 / month

Click Here to Learn More

Related Products

Honeywell Lyric Controller - Encrypted Wireless Security System
Honeywell Lyric Alarm System
Encrypted, HomeKit, Wireless Security System
Honeywell VISTA-21iP - Internet Alarm Control Panel, open
Honeywell VISTA-21iP
Internet Alarm Control Panel
Honeywell VISTA-250BPT - Commercial Alarm Control Panel
Honeywell VISTA-250BPT
Commercial Alarm Control Panel
List Price: $1,152.00
Our Price: $709.99
Honeywell VISTA-128BPT PCB - Commercial Alarm Control Panel
Honeywell VISTA-128BPT
Commercial Alarm Control Panel
List Price: $746.00
Our Price: $461.99
Honeywell VISTA-15P - Alarm Control Panel
Honeywell VISTA-15P
Alarm Control Panel
List Price: $196.00
Our Price: $121.99
Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Verizon - 7" Security Panel w/ Z-Wave-ready, Verizon Cell Communicator (QS9201-1200-840)(MFIMG)
Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Verizon LTE
7" Security Panel w/ Z-Wave-ready, Verizon Cell Communicator
Qolsys IQ Panel 2 AT&T - Wireless Security System with AT&T LTE Communicator Installed (QS9202-1200-840)
Qolsys IQ Panel 2 AT&T LTE
Wireless Security System with AT&T Communicator Installed
2GIG GC3 - DIY Wireless Security System w/ 7" Screen
2GIG GC3
DIY Wireless Security System w/ 7-inch Screen
2GIG CP21-345 - Front
2GIG GC2
Go!Control Wireless Security System
Taxons
Honeywell VISTA-20P-6160KT
VISTA-20P Alarm System with 6160 Alphanumeric Keypad
List Price: $460.00
Our Price: $283.99
Honeywell VISTA-128BPTSIA Front - Commercial Alarm Control Panel
Honeywell VISTA-128BPTSIA
Commercial Alarm Control Panel
List Price: $746.00
Our Price: $461.99
Honeywell VISTA-20PSIA - Alarm Control Panel
Honeywell VISTA-20PSIA
Alarm Control Panel
List Price: $244.00
Our Price: $150.99
Honeywell VISTA-15PSIA - Alarm Control Panel
Honeywell VISTA-15PSIA
Alarm Control Panel
List Price: $196.00
Our Price: $121.99
Honeywell VISTA-21iPSIA Open - Internet Alarm Control Panel
Honeywell VISTA-21iPSIA
Internet Alarm Control Panel

Related Categories


Answered