What is a GSM Alarm Monitoring System?

A GSM alarm monitoring system is a security system that connects with a GSM cellular network. The most popular GSM cellular network that is used with alarm systems is the AT&T 3G Network. As a result, any alarm system that connects to the AT&T 3G Network could be called a GSM System.

The way that alarm monitoring works is for a security system to send an outbound emergency signal whenever an alarm event occurs. Arguably the best way to do this is through cellular communication. And to use cellular communication, the system will need to be connected with some type of cellular network. One such type of network is a GSM network. When a security system is connected with a GSM network, it might be referred to as a "GSM alarm monitoring system". Some cellular networks that use GSM include the 3G networks from AT&T and T-Mobile.

But GSM networks should not be confused with other cellular networks. For example, 3G networks are often compared with CDMA networks. Although CDMA offers similar speeds as GSM, they are not the same thing. The most popular cellular service provider that uses a CDMA network is Verizon. When an alarm system connects with the Verizon CDMA Network, it might be described as a "CDMA alarm monitoring system". But for all intents and purposes, a CDMA communicator will provide the same functions for an alarm system as a GSM communicator.

But both GSM and CDMA networks are being phased out in favor of another type of cellular network. This newer and more advanced cellular network is called long-term evolution, or LTE. Both AT&T and Verizon support various cellular communicators for alarm systems that connect with an LTE network. But other than offering faster speeds and greater reliability overall, LTE networks essentially serve the same purpose as GSM and CDMA networks. However, it is very important to choose an LTE communicator for an alarm system whenever possible. This is because CDMA and GSM networks are set to be shut down in the coming years. But cellular service providers have promised that they will continuing supporting their LTE networks for many years into the distant future.