How Does Dual Path Monitoring Work With A Qolsys IQ Panel 4?

The Qolsys IQ Panel 4, like all Alarm.com compatible panels, will use both the WIFI and the cellular path simultaneously to send all signals to Alarm.com. By doing this, each individual signal is delivered using the fastest available path. All Alarm.com systems require a cellular path.

This assumes, of course, that a WIFI path is being provided. Alarm.com requires a cellular path, but a WIFI path is optional. What this means for Alarm Grid customers is that you will need to choose a plan that includes cellular monitoring. For interactive customers, this will be a Gold Plan (Full or Self) or higher. For those customers who don't want interactive services, which include remote arming and disarming, remote control of automation devices, and text, email, or push notifications about security events, you can choose the Cellular Alarm Monitoring Plan.

Having said that, though, the Qolsys IQ Panel 4 is made to be used with interactive services. It has a built-in cellular communicator, available for either AT&T or Verizon, as well as a built-in Z-Wave Plus controller capable of supporting Z-Wave 800-series devices. As always, this Z-Wave Plus controller is also compatible with all prior versions of the Z-Wave protocol. Just be aware of the limitations when using older Z-Wave technology mixed with newer devices. Whenever possible, always use the latest Z-Wave devices that a controller can support for the best experience.

When the IQ Panel 4 needs to send a signal, both the WIFI path, when available, and the cellular path are used. These two reports race to the Alarm.com server. Whichever signal reaches Alarm.com first, that signal is processed. If you have a Full Monitoring plan, Alarm.com then sends the processed signal to the monitoring station and to the end-user as a notification. The "losing" signal is discarded by the server. If you have a Self Monitoring plan, the same thing happens, but without forwarding anything to a monitoring station. If you have a Cellular Monitoring Plan, the situation is reversed, the "winning" signal is sent only to a monitoring station, and the "losing" signal is discarded. Any Alarm Grid plan that includes cellular monitoring also includes internet monitoring at no additional cost.

In addition to choosing the best cellular carrier for your location, you will also have to choose the IQ Panel 4 that supports any RF devices installed in your premises. If you will be replacing an older wireless system, there are versions of the IQ Panel 4 that support older Interlogix/GE and Qolsys 319.5 MHz devices, Honeywell and 2GIG 345 MHz devices (unencrypted and uni-directional devices only), and older DSC 433 MHz devices. All versions of the IQ Panel 4 support PowerG 915 MHz wireless devices, and there is a version of the panel that supports only PowerG wireless. This panel comes only in white. All other variations can be selected in either black or white.

Links to the various panel versions are listed at the bottom of this page in Related Products. If you're interested in purchasing a kit with a Qolsys IQ Panel 4 and some combination of sensors, you can find those here. Be aware, though, that on these pages, there are also Qolsys IQ4 Hub panels, which behave much like an IQ Panel 4, but differ in some significant ways. You can see a feature comparison between those two panels here.