Did you know that wireless alarm systems run off the same network as our cell phones? These systems first emerged about 25 years ago and ran off the 2G network. The need to upgrade is a much slower process than with phones, because those older generation systems still function the same today. Unfortunately, cell phone companies across the nation have begun dismantling the entire 2G network, one cell phone tower at a time. What does this mean for wireless alarm customers?
Identify the Network Used by Your Wireless Alarm System
If you purchased your wireless alarm system after the year 2000, the system likely runs off either the 3G or 4G network. For those systems purchased earlier, there is a good chance the system is running off the 2G network, which is scheduled to be completely dismantled by the end of 2016. Those 2G systems had a great run. Some have been going strong from 25 years now. The towers are coming down one by one, so there is no way to tell when the tower serving your system will be removed. If you haven’t upgraded when they take your nearby towers down, you’ll lose service to your wireless alarm system entirely.
Avoid Monitoring Service Gaps
Butler Durrell doesn’t want to see any of its customers go even a day without coverage, because calamities aren’t going to wait around for you to get your alarm back in action. A gap in service, means a gap in your family’s safety and protection from dangers like fire and burglary. Butler Durrell is encouraging all of our clients to upgrade in 2015 to avoid gaps in service and to stay ahead of the dismantling process. If you are a Butler Durrell customer with a 2G wireless alarm system, you’ll be receiving a letter that explains the upgrade process in more detail.
Benefits of Upgrading
The greatest benefit to upgrading a 2G wireless alarm system to 4G is the assurance that you will avoid potential gaps in service. Although the newer technology boasts faster transmission times and allows large volumes of data to travel on the new 4G network, these advances will be imperceptible to end users. Someone will have to come out to your home to upgrade the wireless transmitter in your alarm system, but all of your other equipment will stay completely intact and function perfectly with the new 4G transmitter. We know having any service professional visit your home is an inconvenience, so you might as well make the most out of the visit and use that time to add home automation to your newly upgraded alarm system. Wireless alarm customers can easily add a home automation service like Alarm.com and turn an ordinary home into a smart home.
Revolutionize the Way You Interact with Your Home
Can you imagine being able to control locks, lights, alarm control panel, thermostat, and even the garage door from anywhere in the world using a basic smartphone or computer? Alarm.com makes all of this possible from anywhere with an internet connection. Who hasn’t gotten a call about being locked out? Now you can log into the Alarm.com app on your smartphone, and unlock your door with the click of a button. You can even lock the door back up behind them. Users can access live video feeds and set up event notifications and automated events like timed lighting or temperature adjustments. The uses for Alarm.com are virtually endless and will literally transform the way you interact with your home.
and I interact with our home.”
– Satisfied Alarm.com Customer
It is finally time to say goodbye to the old 2G network, so out with the old and in with the new! If you’re wondering how to tell if you need the upgrade, Butler Durrell will be sending notices to all our 2G clients in several phases and will notify you if your system needs to be upgraded. For the safety of your family or business, please consider upgrading as soon as possible. If you have any questions, contact one of our security experts today. Thanks for bearing with us during the upgrade.