Can I Connect The Qolsys IQ Panel 4 To Cellular Monitoring?

The Qolsys IQ Panel 4 has either an AT&T or a Verizon cellular unit built in. In order to activate the system, you must register the cellular device with Alarm.com. The cellular unit's IMEI number is the only identifying number that can be used for this registration, so cellular is required.

Each Qolsys IQ Panel 4 also has a WIFI communicator built in. However, you cannot activate the panel for any type of monitoring through Alarm.com using the WIFI communicator only. The WIFI communicator doesn't have any type of identifying number that can be used for registration. Instead, it is married to the cellular communicator, so in order to use WIFI for monitoring, you have to first activate and register the built in cellular communicator.

When both WIFI and cellular communication is enabled, that's called dual-path monitoring. In a dual-path enabled IQ Panel 4, every signal that is sent to Alarm.com is sent using all available communication paths. Whichever path's signal reaches the server first, that's the signal that is processed and forwarded to the end-user, the monitoring station, or both. The "losing" signal is flagged as a duplicate and is discarded by the Alarm.com server. Alarm Grid always recommends dual-path monitoring where available.

For Alarm Grid customers, this means when signing up for monitoring with an IQ Panel 4, you will need to choose a Gold Plan (Full or Self) or higher if you want interactive service. Interactive service includes features such as remote arming and disarming, control of Z-Wave and other automation devices from anywhere your mobile device has a connection to the web, and notifications of system events via email, text, and/or push notification. If you want traditional alarm monitoring only, with no interactive service, you can choose our Cellular Alarm Monitoring Plan.

Although WIFI communication is usually faster, cellular communication is more reliable. The IQ Panel 4 supports both 5GHz and 2.4 GHz WIFI bands. The 5GHz band is faster but sometimes has difficulty transmitting through walls and other solid objects. The 2.4 GHz band is slower but has better penetration capability, and therefore has a better transmitting range. Even still, WIFI generally has a tendency to be a little flaky, so having the cellular communicator as a backup allows you to have peace of mind when it comes to the safety of your home or business, and your loved ones. Cellular service almost never goes down.

If you're interested in purchasing an IQ Panel 4, the various versions of the panel are linked at the bottom of this page under Related Products. We also have kits available that include some of the basic components of an alarm system, including motion detectors and door and window sensors. The IQ Panel 4 offers a variety of choices including the choice between a black or white panel, an AT&T or a Verizon cellular communicator, and support for PowerG 915 MHz wireless plus one (1) legacy RF frequency. These are Interlogix/GE and Qolsys 319.5 MHz, including S-Line encrypted Qolsys sensors, 2GIG and Honeywell non-encrypted and uni-directional 345 MHz wireless, and DSC legacy 433 MHz wireless. There are also two kits with panels that support only PowerG and come only in white. Those are also linked in the related products below.