Home Security Blog

If you haven't been keeping an eye on the Alarm Grid YouTube Channel, then you may have missed the two (2) new videos we uploaded last week. It has been awhile since our last video recap, so we wanted to give these a special highlight. We hope to be back in the studio regularly very soon!

Before we focus on the new videos, we have some good news and bad news. The bad news is that it may still be a few more weeks before we are able to really start concentrating on them again and begin putting them out like we used to. Our Florida office is in a state of flux right now behind the scenes, and while this should have no impact on our ability to provide you with top-quality service, it does impact our ability to shoot, edit, and upload new videos. And once we are back doing videos, keep in mind that it may take us another week or two to really "shake off the rust" and get back in the swing of things. We ask for your patience during this time, and we apologize that we haven't been able to give you the new videos that you have come to expect from us.

But the good news is that we expect new videos to return very soon, with all of your favorite faces, and maybe even some new ones at some point in 2021. We know we're off to a bit of a slow start, but we truly believe that this can be the best year yet for the Alarm Grid Video Team. There are some great ideas sitting in the bin, and we're very eager and excited to put them out. We just ask for some patience as we work to get things set up. It won't be long until you're checking out new videos every week to get the most out of your security system!

With that out of the way, let's take a look at the two (2) new videos we have for you today. These are the very first Alarm Grid videos of 2021, and they cover some great topics. We only had time to get Jorge into the Alarm Grid studio, so he's the star of both of these videos. Special thanks to Jorge and our video team for rallying and putting these together. We know that two videos isn't very much, but we hope that these can at least hold you over until we make a full return to the studio and really begin reminding everyone just what our team is capable of accomplishing. But enough stalling. Here are the newest Alarm Grid videos!

Troubleshooting a Lyric Using Apple HomeKit

Jorge provides some troubleshooting tips for a Honeywell Lyric System that is using Apple HomeKit. The HomeKit integration for the Lyric allows you to receive a limited selection of Lyric System Alerts from the HomeKit platform on your iOS device, and perform various system functions using spoken Siri voice commands. To start using the HomeKit integration, your Lyric System must be activated for monitoring service, as HomeKit functionality can only be enabled remotely by your alarm monitoring company. HomeKit service is usually used to supplement Total Connect 2.0, as TC2 provides greater detail regarding system activity and faulted zones than HomeKit.

Entering Programming On a Partitioned IQ Panel 2 Plus

Jorge shows you the differences that occur when you go to enter programming on a Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus system that has partitions enabled, versus one that does not. Alarm system partitions are used to section off a single system into multiple "areas" that can be armed and disarmed independently from one another. When you have partitions enabled on the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus, you are asked to provide a code before you even access the main screen. The code you enter will determine your level of authority. You will only need to provide a code again if your originally entered code lacks the authority to access a particular menu or setting. But if partitions are not enabled, then you won't need to provide a code unless you attempt to access menu options with restricted access, such as the Installation Menu.

Resideo has confirmed that the Verizon CDMA Sunset date is December 31, 2022. After that date, Verizon CDMA Communicators for security systems will no longer function. You must replace your panel's cellular communicator before that time to avoid any interruptions to your monitoring service.

In an effort to dispel any false rumors and/or misinformation, Resideo is reconfirming the Verizon CDMA Sunset for alarm panels to be at the end of 2022. The reason why Resideo found it necessary to confirm this shutdown date is because most CDMA Communicators for cell phones had a shutdown date to stop working after December 2020. This date was originally set for the end of December 2019, but it was later pushed back to the end of 2020. However, Resideo has a special agreement with Verizon to keep alarm system CDMA Communicators operational until December 31, 2022. Additionally, the largely equivalent AT&T 3G Communicators for alarm systems are set to stop working after January 31, 2022. This is according to a banner posted on the Resideo AlarmNet website.

The big thing to take away here is that nothing has changed. The 3G and CDMA Sunset impacting the security industry is still on-track to occur next year, in 2022. For AT&T 3G Communicators, this will take effect following January 31, 2022. For Verizon CDMA Communicators, the key date is December 31, 2022. In preparation for these dates, any 3G, 4G, or CDMA radio can no longer be activated for monitoring service. If you deactivate these modules for any reason, you will not be able to reactivate them. But if no changes are made, then they should continue to function until their associated shut-off dates.

As a reminder, Alarm Grid is urging anyone still using a 3G, 4G, or CDMA communicator to upgrade to an LTE communicator as soon as possible. We know that it is tempting to wait until the last minute, especially if money is tight. But please understand that many other users are thinking the same thing. There is most likely going to be a mad rush of users trying to upgrade right at the very end. And while we will do our very best to accommodate everyone, we are unfortunately expecting that some users may get left behind, simply because they didn't act to upgrade their communicators soon enough. Don't risk it. Upgrade now, and ensure that your home or business stays protected well into the very distant future.

If you want to learn more about communicator upgrades, including which model to get for your system, and how to access the Alarm Grid Communicator Replacement Portal, then please check out this prior blog post at your earliest convenience. You may also email our team at support@alarmgrid.com if you need further assistance. We're here to help you from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!

The Z-Wave Alliance has unveiled the specifications for the Z-Wave Long Range protocol to developers. This means that certified developers will soon be able to build products that meet the stringent standards of Z-Wave LR. This is surely a great moment for the world of home automation!

If this is the first time you're hearing about Z-Wave Long Range, then don't feel too bad. We have only very recently heard about the smart home protocol ourselves. Our understanding is that Z-Wave LR is a subset of the Z-Wave 700-Series that we fully expect to take the automation market by storm over the next year or two. From what we can tell, the Z-Wave LR requirements are even more restrictive than Z-Wave 700-Series standards. In other words, while every Z-Wave LR device will also meet the technical guidelines of Z-Wave 700-Series, only a small selection of 700-Series devices will also meet the criteria for Z-Wave LR.

As its name implies, the wireless signal range of Z-Wave LR is no joke. We have heard that certified Z-Wave LR devices will be able to communicate with Z-Wave LR Hubs from up to "several miles" away with direct line-of-sight. This is to be made possible when using the maximum output power of a Z-Wave LR device, which is said to be +30dBm. Silicon Labs, a member of the Z-Wave Alliance, has already achieved a direct line-of-sight signal range of up to one (1) mile when using just over +14dBm of output power. And this should only be further improved upon as more work and experimentation is completed.

In addition, Z-Wave LR technology will make it possible to pair more than 4,000 nodes with a single network, which is way up from the 232 node restriction of current Z-Wave technology. The average battery life is also expected to be drastically improved, as users will be able to go up to ten (10) years without swapping the batteries in their Z-Wave LR devices. And like all Z-Wave technology, Z-Wave LR will be backwards compatible with earlier iterations of Z-Wave. You will be able to bring over your existing Z-Wave and Z-Wave Plus devices and use them successfully with a new Z-Wave hub. Conversely, Z-Wave LR devices will be able to pair with older Z-Wave and Z-Wave Plus hubs if needed. Just keep in mind that you will need to use a Z-Wave LR Hub and certified Z-Wave LR devices to really take advantage of what the protocol has to offer.

One of the other biggest ways that Z-Wave LR differs from traditional Z-Wave is in the very topography, or general arrangement and structure, of the networks. You have likely heard us referring to Z-Wave as a "mesh network" at some point. In simple terms, this means that almost every device included in the network is able to repeat signals, and adding more devices helps the interconnected network become stronger. But for Z-Wave LR, a different arrangement commonly referred to as a Star Network, or Star Topography, is used instead. In this Star Network, the Z-Wave LR Hub or Controller is recognized as a centralized point that is able to make a direct connection with each individual Z-Wave LR device included with the network. This differs from the mesh network traditionally associated with Z-Wave, as signals are no longer hopping from node to node to reach the Hub or Controller, but rather they are traveling directly between the device and the centralized controller. What really makes a Z-Wave LR Hub so unique is that it is able to utilize a Star Network for any paired Z-Wave LR devices, while simultaneously facilitating a traditional mesh network for any older Z-Wave or Z-Wave Plus devices that you have paired.

Reports indicate that the Z-Wave Alliance will make Z-Wave LR certification available starting in March 2021. The expectation is that we will hopefully start seeing some Z-Wave LR devices enter the market by mid-to-late this year. We also expect to start seeing Z-Wave 700-Series devices become much more commonplace, as the only 700-Series device that we began offering last year was the 2GIG STZ-1 Smart Thermostat. Of course, it won't mean much if alarm system manufacturers don't embrace the technology and begin putting Z-Wave LR and 700-Series controllers into their alarm panels. Consider this to be on our wish list for new panels like the Resideo PROA7PLUS, as well as upcoming panels like the Qolsys IQ Hub and the 2GIG Edge.

Stay tuned to our blog for more information about Z-Wave 700-Series and Z-Wave LR We will keep you informed about the latest and most advanced smart home technology that should begin hitting the market soon. If you have any questions, please email our support team at support@alarmgrid.com. This is also a great email to use if you are interested in starting new alarm monitoring service to unlock the full potential of your security and automation equipment. Remember that our team is available to help you from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!

If you're like the folks at Alarm Grid, then you're always looking for new and exciting ways that you can use your security system. One novel possibility is to have your system alert you if your pool or hot tub experiences an unusual temperature change. Today, we will explore how to do that.

As you likely know, using temperature sensors with an alarm system to monitor the ambient air temperature inside a building is nothing new. These devices are used to alert the user to a broken HVAC system that could result in them arriving to a very uncomfortable home, or even worse, major damage caused by the water pipes freezing. But if you want to monitor the water temperature of a pool or hot tub, then you have to get a little creative.

It goes without saying that there are several intrinsic challenges associated with setting up your alarm system to monitor the temperature of your pool or hot tub AND being alerted in the event that an unusual temperature change occurs. Basically, you need a waterproof temperature probe, a programmable temperature sensor that is compatible with that probe, AND a way to interface that temperature sensor with your alarm system. Only then will your security system keep you in the loop if your pool or spa heater goes kaput.

While there are certainly many combinations of waterproof temperature probes and programmable temperature sensors that you can use for this job, we will stick to the products that we have available on our site. This starts with the Winland TEMP-L-W Waterproof Temperature Sensor Probe, which can be safely submerged in your pool or hot tub and monitor temperatures ranging from -58°F to 158°F. It's the perfect probe for the job!

You can easily connect the Winland TEMP-L-W Probe with our selected programmable temperature sensor for the job, the Winland EA200 EnviroAlert. The reason why you need a programmable temperature sensor is because you will need to set a very specific range of temperatures to perform this task effectively. It isn't good enough to just have a very vague range of allowable temperatures here. A standard in-building temperature sensor that monitors for a broken HVAC system might be able to get away with that, but it won't do you much good if you hop in your pool and find that it's a chilly 50°F. Realistically, you will probably want to keep your pool within a very specific range, say 70°F to 80°F. And if you own a hot tub, then that range is probably even more restrictive, perhaps 98°F to 102°F. With that in mind, there isn't much room for error here. You need a digital programmable temperature sensor where you can set customizable high-low temperature limits. And as you can probably guess, the temperature sensor will alert your system if the detected water temperature goes outside these defined limits.

Please note that the EA200 only has one output function, so you can only monitor for low temp OR high temp. But only one probe is needed. If you really need to monitor for both low temp AND high temp, then you can get the Winland EA400 EnviroAlert instead, which has two (2) outputs. You can use one for low-temp monitoring alerts, and the other for high-temp monitoring alerts. But keep in mind that if you have both alert types set up, then you will need TWO (2) probes as part of the setup.

One thing to keep in mind though is that these temperature sensors are often not waterproof, so you may want to find some waterproof housing that you can keep the module inside. Remember, just because the probe is waterproof does not mean that its accompanying sensor can withstand the same conditions! The protection doesn't necessarily have to be anything super high-tech either. You may be able to get away with a plastic container with the probe running through a leak-proof fitting. Unfortunately, we don't offer any sort of waterproof contraption on our website, but your local department store can probably help!

Your last challenge is finding a way to interface the temperature sensor, in our case the Winland EA200 EnviroAlert, with your alarm panel. If you're working with a wired sensor like we are, then the standard practice is to connect it to a wired panel or a converter module. But using a complete wired to wireless converter for just one sensor is probably a bit excessive. Instead, you may look into a wireless transmitter. Many wireless door and window contact sensors have on-board terminals that you can use to connect a wired sensor. This will allow the wired sensor to communicate with the panel wirelessly. You will likely need to provide a power supply and backup battery to the equation when doing this with a powered device like a digital programmable temperature sensor, but that's to be expected when powering the device in the first place. You must also make sure the wireless sensor acting as the transmitter is compatible with your system. Some popular options for doing this include the Honeywell 5816 and the DSC PG9945. Remember to check compatibility if you are unsure as to what will work with your alarm system!

From there, it's as simple as enrolling the programmable temperature sensor with your system. You will actually be programming the wireless transmitter using its auxiliary input settings. Check the device manual to see if there's a specific Loop Number or other setting that you need to use. You will also need to configure the high-low temperature limits and the notification settings on the temperature sensor. You are making it so that whenever the detected temperature in your pool or spa goes outside the defined limits, the wired temperature sensor will tell the connected wireless transmitter to alert your system. Once this happens, a fault will occur on the associated zone, and the programmed Response Type will occur. A popular Response Type for this application is 24-Hour Auxiliary, though you will want to make sure the central station knows that this is for a pool or hot tub temperature zone, and not for a medical emergency zone.

If you have any questions about setting up a pool or hot tub temperature zone for your own security system, please reach out to us. We will be happy to help any Alarm Grid monitored customers with finding the right sensors and programming. The best way to reach us is to email support@alarmgrid.com. We're here to provide you with top-notch support and help from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!

Alarm.com has a new security camera available, the ADC-V515. This is an entry-level camera for use in homes and small businesses. It supports virtually all of the same great features as the higher-end cameras from Alarm.com. The camera is available for purchase on the Alarm Grid website.

The Alarm.com ADC-V515 is set to replace the existing Alarm.com ADC-V522IR, which will remain available until the existing stock is exhausted. What's great about the new ADC-V515 is that it offers nearly all of the same excellent features and strong performance of earlier Alarm.com Camera models, but at a lower price point. We recommend this camera for anyone looking to set up video monitoring inside their home or business on a budget.

For an entry-level camera, the ADC-V515 certain boasts some impressive specifications. It offers full 1080p recording and High Dynamic Range (HDR) functionality for more luminous video captures. Its viewing angle of 110° is only 7° less than the higher-end ADC-V523. You can also effectively use the ADC-V515 at nighttime or in a dark environment thanks to its IR Night Vision feature, which works from up to 15 feet away. You will also love the ability to adjust images through Flip, Brightness, Contrast, Saturation, Sharpness, and Exposure.

One restriction with the ADC-V515 is that it can only be used with WIFI connectivity. The camera does not support wired ethernet connectivity, and it cannot be set up with Power over Ethernet (PoE). This is important to keep in mind if you are accustomed to wiring your security cameras for PoE. Instead, the ADC-V515 gets its power from a plug-in transformer, which comes included. Additionally, you can only use 2.4 GHz WIFI networks with the camera. It does not support 5 GHz WIFI networks.

Remember that the ADC-V515 is for indoor use only. If you need an outdoor camera, then you might consider the Alarm.com ADC-V723 instead. Also keep in mind that you will need Alarm.com Video Monitoring service to use the ADC-V515 or any other mainline Alarm.com Camera. You can get Alarm.com Video Monitoring service with a Platinum Plan from Alarm Grid. Both our Platinum and Self-Platinum Plans are viable options. Click here to learn more about our monitoring plans.

If you are interested in starting new monitoring service, upgrading your existing service, or if you just want to learn more about the ADC-V515, then please email our support and planner teams at support@alarmgrid.com. We're here to help you from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!

Welcome to the first post of 2021 from Alarm Grid! It's almost cliché to say by this point, but we're just as happy to transition into 2021 as you are. And we're looking to start the year off on the right foot by having our Florida team members return to the Alarm Grid headquarters.

Since Thanksgiving, our Florida office has remained closed, and virtually all team members who normally work here have instead been performing their regular duties from their homes. Only our satellite offices in Kentucky and Connecticut have remained active during this time. Well now it's back to business as usual, as we have transitioned back into our usual location. We are happy to be back, as while we love our homes, the office is really the best place for staying focused and providing our customers with the support and assistance they need.

One other small note as we leave 2020 behind, we know that normally we do a "Year In Review" blog post around this time, to look back on all the events that occurred. But unfortunately, that will not be happening this year. We actually had one planned out, but due to technical difficulties, the content was deleted, and we were unable to recover it. Also, there has been so much security news as of late that we really haven't had the time. Not to mention the fact that most people consider 2020 to have been a "below average" year, so we're sure that most of our readers are ready to move forward rather than look into the rearview. But if you were looking forward to that, then we do apologize.

With that out of the way, let's start thinking about what we can expect for 2021. Our three biggest manufacturers - Resideo, Qolsys, and 2GIG - all have big plans for the year. We expect this to be the year that the Honeywell Home PROA7PLUS Alarm Panel really comes into itself, as Resideo is expected to make local end user programming available for the system, and there is a good chance that Apple HomeKit support will also be added later this year. We've also heard that there will be a "stripped-down" version of the PROA7PLUS called simply the PROA7 that will not offer Z-Wave or WIFI connectivity unless added separately. And there have also been some small rumblings of a wired and wireless hybrid panel from Resideo that is tentatively being called the Honeywell Home PROH8PLUS.

Qolsys is likely going to debut their much-anticipated Qolsys IQ Hub in 2021. We were actually expecting it to hit the market in 2020, but that obviously never happened, possibly due to the ongoing pandemic. We have periodically asked Qolsys about the IQ Hub, and they continue to say that it should be available early this year. All signs point to it being released very soon. As we have mentioned before, we don't necessarily expect the IQ Hub to replace the IQ Panel 2 Plus, and instead it will be an option for users who don't really need all of the advanced features of the company's flagship alarm panel. We strongly recommend checking out this post to learn more about what may be coming for the IQ Hub.

Lastly, 2GIG is set to release their own brand-new security system, the 2GIG Edge, in February. The website promoting the upcoming panel is vague on details and specifications, but we're guessing that 2GIG is going to hold nothing back on their new panel. They have some very stiff competition with Resideo and Qolsys afterall. For more information on what the 2GIG Edge Security System might have to offer, please check out our initial post on the subject, where we made some interesting predictions and speculations based on information that is currently available.

Remember to stay tuned to our blog so that you can remain up-to-date on the latest security news and happening throughout 2021 and beyond. And if you ever need any help with your Alarm Grid System, or if you are looking to join Alarm Grid as a monitored customer, then please email us at support@alarmgrid.com. We're available to check your emails from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. Happy New Year, and we look forward to hearing from you!

Happy New Year! As you can tell from the title, we're discussing our holiday schedule. All Alarm Grid offices will be closing early at 6pm ET on Thursday, December 31st. We will remain closed all day Friday, January 1st. We will then reopen for business as usual on Monday, January 4th, 2021.

First, let us give the obligatory, "we're sorry for any inconvenience this may cause", but please understand that security experts also like to enjoy the new year! One place that will not be closing is our central station partner, Criticom Monitoring Services, and neither is Rapid Response for our monitored customers in Canada. These monitoring centers don't close for silly events like ringing-in the new year, and they will remain vigilant, protecting your homes and businesses like always.

Remember that we will not be answering our phones or checking emails while we are closed. If you need to contact us, then send an email to support@alarmgrid.com. We will do our best to reply back when we reopen on Monday, January 4th. But please keep in mind that we expect to be confronted with a large number of emails when we groggily cheerfully return to our offices on Monday. We may not reply early in the day, so we ask that you be patient. We promise that we will get to you as soon as we can!

If you need to reach Criticom to put your system on test mode or to cancel a false alarm then please call our number (888) 818-7728, and choose option number [9]. Similar inquiries for Rapid Response can be made by calling (800) 932-3822. Remember to only call the central station for relevant matters. They are extremely busy handling emergencies, so we want to prevent any unnecessary calls that may clog their phone lines preventing them from handling priority issues. Send all other matters to our support email, and we will take it from there.

To everyone, please have a fun and safe New Year Holiday, as we move on from what has surely been a historic year. We are just as ready for 2021 as you are. And please, stay tuned to our blog for the latest security news and happenings. Thank you so much for being a loyal reader in 2020, and we'll see you next year!

Earlier in 2020, cryptocurrency storage company Ledger experienced a major data breach. It has since been revealed that more than 1 million email addresses, plus around 272,000 names, mailing addresses, and phone numbers were exposed. Major lessons can be taken away from this incident.

For those unfamiliar with Ledger and the resulting incident, Ledger is a French company offering cryptocurrency "wallets" that are used to store electronic cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and more. These are actual physical devices that resemble something like a USB flash drive. In July 2020, it was revealed that Ledger customers had their personal data exposed by hackers. Initially, it was thought that only 9,500 individuals were impacted. But it has since been revealed that the number of those affected is significantly more staggering.

The fallout for Ledger has been severe. Since the incident, more than 170 phishing websites have been taken down to try and prevent more people from being victimized. The company has also hired a new Chief Information Security Officer in an effort to provide stronger security moving forward. And of course, Ledger has repeatedly apologized for the incident, and they are promising to take the security of their customers more seriously from here on out. Many individuals have since criticized Ledger, not just for allowing the data breach to take place, but also for holding onto this sensitive data in the first place.

At Alarm Grid, we take security very seriously. And while our main focus is on alarm monitoring services, stories involving digital security are also fascinating to us. The purpose of our post today isn't to attack or shame Ledger, but we do want to remind our readers to protect themselves whenever possible. While we often expect that the companies in-charge will do the heavy lifting for us, mistakes and incidents clearly happen, so take it upon yourself to keep your personal data safe.

For starters, use a VPN while browsing the internet to prevent outsiders from accessing your browsing history and personal information. And yes, that means using a legitimate VPN, not just "Incognito Mode" in Chrome. Second, when you do have to provide information to outside companies, do what you can to keep your information safe. Try using a disposable email address when shopping online instead of your personal or work email. For your address, consider getting a PO box, or use a mail forwarding service. You might also want to get a second phone number to manage two-factor authentication, or use an app to generate fake phone numbers. Finally, always make sure to use safe and secure passwords, and never share them across multiple websites.

If you have any questions about keeping your personal information safe, or if you are interested in starting new monitoring service to protect your home or business, please email us at support@alarmgrid.com. Security is something we take very seriously, and we will be happy to help you. We are available from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!

We have learned that Alarm.com has updated the video timeline used with their Streaming Video Recorder (SVR) devices. The changes were made to accommodate for the end of life of Adobe Flash, and to introduce the new Smart View feature. You can see the changes on the Alarm.com website.

With support for Adobe Flash ending after 2020, Alarm.com has updated the SVR Timeline on their website to now use native in-browser streaming. The most recent versions of recommended web browsers will provide the proper resources needed to support the feature. Alarm.com recommends using the latest version of Chrome, FireFox, Safari, or Edge with their services. Please note that the Microsoft Edge Legacy Browser cannot support the SVR Timeline if the browser version is less than Version 79. Alarm.com no longer recommends the use of the Microsoft Edge Legacy. Please see this post for more.

Additionally, Alarm.com has recently redesigned the SVR Timeline to accommodate its new "Smart View" feature. Smart View is an interactive video player that allows users to playback Alarm.com Camera recordings for up to four (4) cameras at a time. Users can also filter content to find important footage faster. Smart View also introduces a new activity timeline that shows system-wide events, such as doors and windows being opened, alarm panel arming and disarming, Video Analytics events, plus more. Keep in mind that the updated SVR Timeline is only accessible through the Alarm.com website. It cannot be accessed through the Alarm.com Mobile App. Current Alarm.com Streaming Video Recorders include the ADC-SVR122 and the ADC-CSVR126.

If you have any questions about the Alarm.com SVR Timeline, or if you are interested in starting new alarm monitoring service for use with Alarm.com, please email our team at support@alarmgrid.com. We check our email from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!

When you move into a new home or office, you may find an existing security system that you're hoping to put to use. Or maybe you have an already monitored alarm panel, and you want to extend its useful lifespan. Alarm Grid is here to help determine the best course of action for your needs.

Most users with a security system will want to have it monitored. When we refer to alarm monitoring, we are talking about the ability of the system to send out signals in the event of an emergency, such as a break-in or fire. This allows the user to receive automatic dispatch from a trained operator at a central monitoring station. It also makes it possible for the end user to receive text and/or email alerts that notify them of the situation so they can contact help themselves. Whether you go with central station monitoring or self-monitoring is a personal decision. You can learn more about Alarm Grid monitoring plans on this page.

For alarm monitoring to work, you need a security system with a communicator that is installed and activated. If you inherit an old or existing system, then there is a good chance that you can get it monitored by simply replacing its communicator. This isn't always possible, but it can save you money by not having to start from scratch with a brand-new system. And for optimal reliability, we recommend getting the system set up with a cellular communicator, specifically an LTE cellular communicator. This will require a cellular monitoring plan, but it is the best way to ensure that your system stays reliably monitored.

Always power down your panel completely before installing a cellular communicator!

There are many advantages to cellular monitoring. For one, cellular outages are almost unheard of when an adequate cellular signal is obtained. The same cannot be said for internet, as internet outages are relatively common. A power outage won't affect your system's cellular connection, as the communicator will stay running using the panel's backup battery. And since cellular is completely wireless, there's no line for an intruder to "cut" to try and disrupt your system's cellular connection. This is far and away the most consistent and reliable type of communication available for an alarm system.

We also want to stress the importance of getting an LTE cellular communicator. Older cellular networks like AT&T 3G and Verizon CDMA are in the process of being shut down. Cellular communicators that connect with these older networks can no longer be activated. But LTE, which stands for Long-Term Evolution, provides a way to "future-proof" your system so that it can stay monitored for many, many years. Most systems capable of being set up for monitoring service will have some type of LTE option available. Many users with existing systems that are already monitored are simply looking for ways to upgrade their systems to LTE so that they remain connected as older cellular networks are shut down. If you would like to learn more about the 3G/CDMA sunset, we encourage you to check out this post.

Today, we're going to take a look at many of the popular alarm systems and explain which communicators you can use to get them set up with LTE. Just be aware that many panels will require you to know the system's Installer Code (IC) so that you can enter programming. This is an important step for setting up your system and getting it monitored. Simply find your panel in the table below, and review the relevant information.

Keep in mind that only communicators currently sold by Alarm Grid are listed. There may be other, discontinued alarm systems that we don't mention. And if you're having trouble identifying your panel, you can always reach out to us by emailing support@alarmgrid.com for assistance.

Note: In the chart below, IC is used to indicate the Installer Code:

Alarm Panel	LTE Communicators	Notes
Honeywell LYNX Touch L5000 & L5100	None Available. A panel upgrade is necessary. Honeywell Lyric Upgrade Kit-V (Verizon LTE) Honeywell Lyric Upgrade Kit-A (AT&T LTE)	Default IC is 4112. Can backdoor into programming if needed. Cannot upgrade to LTE. Replace w/ Honeywell Lyric Controller or 345 MHz Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus. Both L5000 and L5100 are discontinued.
Honeywell LYNX Touch L5200, L5210, L7000	Honeywell LTE-L57A (AT&T LTE) Honeywell LTE-L57V (Verizon LTE) Panel Upgrades are also available: Honeywell Lyric Upgrade Kit-V (Verizon LTE) Honeywell Lyric Upgrade Kit-A (AT&T LTE)	Default IC is 4112. Can backdoor into programming if needed. May need to purchase Honeywell LYNXTOUCH-MSD Firmware Updater Tool to upgrade system firmware. Alarm Grid offers upgrade kits that include both an LTE communicator and the updater tool. LTE-L57A requires 9.00.209. AT&T LTE Upgrade Kit LTE-L57V requires 9.00.201. Verizon LTE Upgrade Kit L5200 has been discontinued.
Honeywell Lyric Controller	Honeywell LYRICLTE-A (AT&T LTE) Honeywell LYRICLTE-V (Verizon LTE)	Must have IC for programming. Default IC is 4112. Firmware update may be required. This can be done over WIFI using the panel's built-in WIFI card before adding the LTE communicator. Alarm Grid can activate the system on WIFI first so that the update can be applied, and then a cellular communicator can be added after.
Honeywell LYNX Plus L3000	Honeywell LTE-L3A (AT&T LTE) Honeywell LTE-L3V (Verizon LTE)	Default IC is 4112. Can backdoor into programming if needed. All firmware versions of the L3000 support the LTE communicators. However, you need Firmware Version 20.1 or higher to use the system with Total Connect 2.0.
Honeywell, VISTA-10P VISTA-15P, VISTA-20P, and VISTA-21iP	Honeywell LTE-IA (AT&T LTE & IP) Honeywell LTE-IV (AT&T LTE & IP) Honeywell LTE-XA (AT&T LTE) Honeywell LTE-XV (Verizon LTE) Honeywell LTEM-XA (AT&T LTE Cat M1) Honeywell LTEM-XV (Verizon LTE Cat M1) Alarm.com ADC-SEM210-VT-AT (AT&T LTE & IP) Alarm.com ADC-SEM210-VT-VZ (Verizon LTE & IP)	Default IC is 4112. Can backdoor into programming if needed. The VISTA-10P cannot be used with Total Connect 2.0. An Alarm.com System Enhancement Module (SEM) is recommended if you want to use your VISTA-10P with an interactive platform. The VISTA-15P and 20P require Firmware Version 9.12 or higher to use Total Connect 2.0. PROM Chip upgrades can be purchased from Alarm Grid. The 15P is here, and the 20P is here. We also sell bundled kits that include both a communicator and PROM Chip upgrades. LTEIA-TC2 LTEIV-TC2 LTEXA-TC2 LTE-XV-TC2 Adding an external communicator to a VISTA-21iP will require disabling the system's internal IP communicator. A VISTA-21iP must be running Firmware Version 3.13 or higher to use Total Connect 2.0. PROM Chip upgrades for the 21iP are here. VISTA-10P has been discontinued.
Honeywell VISTA-128BPT & VISTA-250BPT	Honeywell LTE-IA (AT&T LTE & IP) Honeywell LTE-IV (AT&T LTE & IP) Honeywell LTE-XA (AT&T LTE) Honeywell LTE-XV (Verizon LTE)	Must have IC for programming. Default IC is 4140. All versions of the 128BPT can use Total Connect 2.0. For the 250BPT, Firmware Version 10.3 or higher is required for TC2.
2GIG Go!Control GC2	2GIG LTEA-A-GC2 (AT&T LTE) 2GIG LTEV1-A-GC2 (Verizon LTE)	Must have IC for programming. Default IC is 1561. LTEA-A-GC2 requires FW 1.19.3 or higher. LTEV1-A-GC2 requires FW 1.19 or higher. FW updates are made via Updater Cable or Easy Updater Tool. GC2 has been discontinued.
2GIG GC3	2GIG LTEA-A-GC3 (AT&T LTE) 2GIG LTEV1-A-GC3 (Verizon LTE)	Must have IC for programming. Default IC is 1561. LTEA-A-GC3 requires FW 3.2.3 or higher. LTEV1-A-GC3 requires FW 3.1.3 or higher. GC3 has been discontinued.
Interlogix/GE Simon XT, XTi, or XTi-5	Alarm.com XT-511-US-DP-AT (AT&T LTE & IP) Alarm.com XT-511-US-DP-VZ (Verizon LTE & IP) Alarm.com XT-511-US-AT (AT&T LTE) Alarm.com XT-511-US-VZ (Verizon LTE)	Must have IC for programming. Default IC is 4321. Simon XT must be running FW Version 1.3 or higher. Make sure to check the firmware first. Simon XTi and XTi-5 do not have this requirement and can support any of the listed communicators. Consider upgrading to a newer panel.
Interlogix/CADDX NetworX NX-4V2, NX-6V2, NX-8V2, NX-8E	Alarm.com NX-411-US-AT (AT&T LTE & IP) Alarm.com NX-410-US-VZ (Verizon LTE & IP) Interlogix NetworX NX-592E-LTE-ZX-VZ (Verizon LTE)	Must have IC for programming. Default IC is 4321. Consider upgrading to a newer panel.
Interlogix/GE Concord 4	Alarm.com CD-411-US-AT (AT&T LTE & IP) Alarm.com CD-421-US-VZ (Verizon LTE & IP)	Must have IC for programming. Default IC is 4321. Consider upgrading to a newer panel.
DSC Impassa	DSC TL8055LTVZ (Verizon LTE & IP)	Must have IC for programming. Default IC is 5555. Requires FW 1.3 or higher. Consider upgrading to a newer panel.
DSC PowerSeries PC1616, PC1832, PC1864	ADC-SEM210-PS-AT (AT&T LTE & IP) ADC-SEM210-PS-VZ (Verizon LTE & IP)	Must have IC for programming. Default IC is 5555. Consider upgrading to a newer panel.
DSC PowerSeries NEO HS2016, HS2032, HS2064, HS2128	DSC TL880LEAT N (AT&T LTE & IP) DSC TL880LTVZ N (Verizon LTE & IP)	Must have IC for programming. Default IC is 5555.
Qolsys IQ Panel and DSC Touch	None Available.	Default IC for IQ Panel is 1111. Default IC for DSC Touch is 5555. You cannot swap-out the communicator for a Qolsys IQ Panel or DSC Touch. You must replace the panel to upgrade to LTE. The recommended replacement option for the Qolsys IQ Panel is the 319.5 MHz Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus. The recommended replacement option for the DSC Touch is the 433 MHz Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus.

My panel isn't listed!

If your panel isn't listed in the table above, then all hope isn't lost quite yet. Nearly any hardwired alarm panel with a phone dialer can use a device called a Telguard TG-1 Express to connect with an LTE cellular network. The TG-1 Express will take over your system's dialer and convert the phone line signal into a cellular signal. This is a great option that works in many situations. Just be aware that you may still need to be able to access system programming using the Installer Code to configure some settings. This can be easier said than done, and many users simply elect to upgrade to a newer wireless panel. But if you are familiar and experienced with the panel you are using and you can handle the programming, then you can leave the monitoring to us. The Telguard TG-1 Express is available in an AT&T LTE model and a Verizon LTE model.

In addition to the Telguard TG-1 Express, Resideo now offers the LTEM-PA or LTEM-PV dual-path capable communicators. Either of these LTE communicators paired with the PRODCM module will allow any panel with telephone dialing capabilities that can report in Contact ID Format to continue to communicate using the LTE Cat-M1 network.

If you decide that upgrading your existing system to LTE is the way to go, then Alarm Grid is happy to help you! We recommend checking out the Alarm Grid Communicator Replacement Portal to get started. You can choose a time for an activator to help you get your new LTE communicator up and running. Just make sure to have your new LTE communicator installed before your scheduled appointment. Click here for our Communicator Replacement Portal.

We've also got your back if you decide to upgrade to a new system. To get started, simply reach out to us via email at support@alarmgrid.com or by calling us at (888) 818-7728 during our business hours of 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!