If you are thinking of switching your business from a copper landline to VoIP, your alarm system has to move as well. The right order is to move the alarm first, then port your phone number. Move your alarm to a cellular communicator and test its connection to the monitoring center. Once that’s confirmed, transfer your business phone number to your VoIP provider and test the alarm again.
Do it the other way around, and the alarm can quietly lose its connection to the monitoring center when the copper line is disconnected.
Why Your Phone Upgrade Matters to Your Security System
AT&T is retiring its old copper phone lines in Kentucky. In Central Kentucky, CornerStone Protection handles the alarms and security side, and our sister company KYClick handles cloud-based business phone and fax services..
For years, the copper line was how an alarm panel reached the monitoring center. Your alarm system may still depend on that same line.
So, when a business tells us, “we’re switching our phones to VoIP,” our concern is: which of your safety devices are still plugged into that line?
Keep Your Alarm Separate From Your VoIP Phone Service
Both VoIP and alarm systems have different communication requirements. Keep your alarm system separate from your VoIP phone service.
What you should consider before making the switch:
Fire alarms
A regular VoIP phone line is not an acceptable communication path for a monitored fire alarm. A fire system requires a reliable, supervised communication path to communicate effectively. A monitored fire system needs a fire alarm communicator, usually cellular, to send the signals to the center.
Burglar alarms
Some burglar alarms may work over VoIP, but often they don’t. Alarm panels send signals as tones, and VoIP was built to carry audio as compressed data. As a result, an alarm may appear to work while the monitoring center misses the emergency call because the signal is disrupted.
Power and internet outages
A VoIP line only works if the modem and router have power and the internet is up. If the power or internet goes down, your phone service may stop working and take the alarm path down with it. A cellular communicator has its own battery backup and doesn’t depend on your internet.
This two-separate-paths setup is the safety measure for your alarm and business phones.
Move The Alarm Before You Port Your Number
When you switch to VoIP, you’ll probably want to keep your business phone number. The new provider transfers your existing number through porting. Once the port finishes, the old copper line is disconnected.
Problems arise if your alarm still uses that line to communicate with the monitoring center. The alarm system will also go offline, leaving your system unable to send alerts.
Your alarm keypad could look normal, and the siren might still work, even though the panel can’t call anyone.
To avoid the situation:
- Upgrade your alarm communicator first. Ask your alarm company to install a dedicated cellular communicator and confirm that it no longer calls the old telephone line.
- Run a signal test. Have your alarm company run a signal test to confirm the alarm panel communicates successfully over the new cellular connection.
- Port your business phone number. After that connection testing, port your number to your new VoIP provider.
- Run the second alarm test. Once the number transfer is completed, run another signal test to confirm the monitoring center still receives the signals.
Check What Else Uses the POTS Line.
Your alarms might not be the only thing wired into old phone lines. Identify what else might be on the line.
It includes:
- Fire alarm panels: These often have their own telephone lines, separate from your burglar alarm.
- Elevator emergency phones: Some systems use copper lines to make emergency calls.
- Gate or door call boxes and entry intercoms: These panels can also rely on an old phone line to communicate with people inside the building.
- Fax machines: Traditional fax equipment may still use a dedicated phone line.
- Credit-card terminals: Some older terminals still dial out on a phone line.
- Emergency and courtesy phones: Phones located in lobbies, pool areas, and parking garages are usually connected to the copper line.
Check each one before disconnecting your existing service, and have a plan. Some may need a cellular connection; others can move to the compatible system. For example, you can replace a traditional fax line with a cloud fax service that arrives in your email.
Choose a VoIP Provider with Security in Mind
Your business phone is both a security system and a way to communicate with clients. Selecting a reliable phone service is a tactical part of moving from a copper landline to VoIP.
When comparing providers offering business VoIP Lexington services, don’t focus only on calling features.
Ask about:
Is the call encrypted?
Look for TLS and SRTP encryption. These standards protect your data.
Can I keep my existing phone number?
You should be able to move your existing business phone number from your current provider to the new one. This process is called porting. Coordinate the transfer with your alarm company to avoid disconnecting the old line too early.
Is 911 service set up correctly?
Your VoIP provider must provide E911 service for the correct location. Federal rules (Kari’s Law and RAY BAUM’S Act) require business phone systems to let staff dial 911 directly and share location information. Confirm that the correct emergency address is registered for your phones.
What happens when the power or internet goes out?
Ask whether incoming calls automatically forward to mobile phones during an outage. Also, learn about arrangements available during interruptions.
Who provides technical support?
When something goes wrong with your phone system, you need someone who can get things back on track fast. A local support team makes things easier.
Is international calling turned off unless I need it?
It’s usually disabled on VoIP. If your business doesn’t need international calling, then you can turn it off. Strong passwords and account security help prevent fraud.
How KYClick Fits
If you’re moving from a copper landline to VoIP, consider CornerStone Protection and its sister company, KYClick, to coordinate the transition.
It covers your questions above:
- Local Kentucky numbers and the ability to port your existing phone and fax numbers.
- Provides TLS/SRTP encryption for secure communication.
- Supports auto-attendant, ring groups and call forwarding. Also ensures ongoing calls to your cell during an outage.
- Voicemail-to-email and cloud fax-to-email services are available.
- Works on desk phones, computers, and mobile apps.
- Local support and assistance in emergencies and setting up your new phone service.
Because our two companies work together, we can plan your switch in the right order. At CornerStone, we can handle the alarm communicator upgrade and signal testing first, then your number moves to KYClick. Once the transfer is complete, we test the alarm again.
Your Checklist Before Switching
If you own a business, use this checklist before moving your copper landline to VoIP.
- Check and list every piece of equipment that’s plugged into the phone line.
- Move the alarm and fire panel to an appropriate cellular communicator and confirm that signals reach the monitoring center.
- Choose your VoIP provider after inquiring about the encryption, number porting, and outages.
- Then port your number to your new provider.
- After that, signal-test the alarm again.
We work with businesses across Lexington and Central and Eastern Kentucky, including communities such as Richmond and Winchester. If you’re replacing an old copper line with VoIP, it’s worth checking your alarm connection before making the change.
For alarm-related questions, call CornerStone Protection at (859) 353-6020.
For business phone and fax services, visit KYClick.com or call KYClick at (859) 436-1707.
FAQ
Can I connect my alarm to my new VoIP phone adapter?
A regular VoIP line isn’t suitable for a monitored fire alarm. Burglar alarms may also have communication issues over VoIP, so an appropriate cellular communicator is a safer option.
Will switching to VoIP affect my alarm?
It can, if your alarm still uses the old copper line. Upgrade and test the alarm connection before switching your phone service.
Is VoIP secure for a business?
It can be, if it includes TLS and SRTP encryption. Also use strong passwords and turn off features you don’t use.
Does 911 work on VoIP?
Yes, but the provider has to have the right address on file for each phone. Confirm it when you set up, and again when a phone moves.
Can I keep my business phone number?
Usually, yes. You can transfer your number through porting, but make sure your alarm is off the old copper line first.
What’s the connection between CornerStone and KYClick?
KYClick is CornerStone Protection’s sister company. CornerStone handles security systems, while KYClick provides business phone and fax services.
