Will an Interlogix Simon XTi or XTi-5 Work w/ a Phone Line?

Yes, an Interlogix Simon XTi or XTi-5 will work with a phone line. This is done by physically connecting the phone jack and the panel. The dialer on the system must then be configured. However, phone line connectivity is an outdated and archaic method that is vastly inferior to cellular.

Using a phone line with an alarm system is not appropriate for most modern applications. But that said, it can still provide very basic monitoring service for an alarm system. Still, users should be aware of the limitations and shortcomings associated with phone line monitoring.

A phone line connection is very easy for intruders to tamper with or disrupt. If an individual is able to cut the incoming phone line, then the system will have no way of reporting out to a central station. A phone line connection will also give the system no way of working with an interactive service like Alarm.com. As a result, the user will have no way of controlling their system remotely. Phone line connections are also very slow, and the central station will not receive incoming alerts from the system as quickly.

Instead of using a phone line, we strongly encourage owners of a Simon XTi or XTi-5 System to use a cellular connection. Cellular service is superior to phone line connectivity in ever possible way. It is both faster and more reliable, and it can be used with the Alarm.com Interactive Service. In order to use cellular connectivity, the panel will need a cellular module and an alarm monitoring plan that includes cellular service.

But for users who do decide to proceed with a traditional phone line connection, it is rather easy to set up. The first step is to connect the incoming phone line to the panel. This is accomplished using an RJ31-X jack, which comes included with the panel. Next, the dialer on the system must be configured. This involves programming the number for the central station into the panel. During an alarm event, the system will dial out and alert the central station to the problem. The user's own phone number can also be programmed to have the system contact them directly during an alarm event.