Tips from Security Pros

As a home and business alarm system provider in Northern California, we at Denalect are dealing with AT&T’s recent rate hikes. If you also have plain old telephone service (POTS), aka a landline, at your home or business, you may have also noticed a spike as well. In some cases, AT&T is doubling or even tripling the rate for POTS lines. Why is this happening and how does it impact your alarm system? Keep reading to learn more. 

In 2019, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved a request (known as Forbearance Order 19-72A1) that allows phone and telecommunications carriers to abandon outdated and degrading copper analog POTS landlines. This means that carriers are no longer required to maintain landlines, nor are they required to make them available to their consumers.

Why are carriers abandoning POTS lines? Basically, the older copper lines are becoming increasingly expensive to maintain, especially with more and more businesses shifting to digital over the last decade. This also leaves existing businesses that still use POTS lines to pay the difference. Carriers are also raising rates to force customers off their landlines.

How does this impact your fire and/or burglar alarm system? Many older systems are supported by POTS lines. Here’s what we recommend you do to avoid paying these absorbent rate hikes:

• Look for notices from AT&T. By law AT&T must send you written notice of pending rate hikes.
• If you see your rates go up dramatically, contact Denalect as quickly as possible to see what alternate programs we can offer you to monitor your alarm system.
• In most cases, we can monitor your alarm using our two-way private radio network or a cellular alarm transmitter, bypassing the need to use a telephone lines.

Questions? You can contact our Business Office at 925-932-2211, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Denalect Alarm is proud to serve home and business security and alarm systems in Northern California: Antioch, Blackhawk, Concord, Danville, Dublin, El Cerrito, Hercules, Lafayette, Livermore, Martinez, Moraga, Oakley, Orinda, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, Pleasanton, San Ramon and Walnut Creek

Starting October 24, 2021, 10-digit dialing is mandatory in nine area codes throughout California, including parts of the East Bay. Area codes affected are 209, 530, 562, 626, 650, 707, 925, 949 and 951. 

This change comes from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which recently established 988 as the new nationwide three-digit phone number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Who is affected by this change? Callers who have telephone numbers with a 988 exchange or central office code, the first three numbers of a seven-digit phone number. They must now dial both the area code and the telephone number of any party they are trying to reach. If they do not, the call won’t go through, even for local numbers. Calls made using only seven digits will not be completed; users will be instructed to hang up and try again using the correct 10-digit format.

Does this affect your alarm system? If your phone number begins in 988, then your alarm may need the area code programmed into its system so that it can connect again to our monitors. If not programmed in, your system will dial out, but it will not connect with us.

If you experience a com-fail on your keypad, or if it doesn’t appear as if your alarm system is connecting to ours, please contact our Business Office at 925-932-2211, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and we will come reprogram your system. Thank you for your patience and understanding!

Denalect Alarm is proud to serve home and business security and alarm systems in Northern California: Antioch, Blackhawk, Concord, Danville, Dublin, El Cerrito, Hercules, Lafayette, Livermore, Martinez, Moraga, Oakley, Orinda, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, Pleasanton, San Ramon and Walnut Creek.

For Denalect customers who want remote access to their alarm systems, we recommend the Bosch Remote Security Control and Bosch’s B Series Internet Ready Alarm Control Panels.

• Arming and disarming your security system from your smart phone or tablet.
• Granting temporary or permanent access rights to other users. Choose what privileges they have and how long they will have access to your system.
• Accessing real-time security systems status.
• Viewing active alarm and trouble conditions in the event memory log.

When your app set up is complete, Denalect will provide you a unique security certificate and PIN to enter into the Bosch Remote Security Control app. This will allow you to control your home or office’s security system from your device.

Each person that wants remote access will need their own certificate and PIN.

On the off chance your device is lost or stolen, give us a call ASAP so we can disable it from connecting to your alarm system.

For more information on remote access and your system or to get a free estimate, give us a call at (925) 932-2211 or (800) 273-2680.

Denalect Alarm is proud to serve home and business security and alarm systems in Northern California: Antioch, Blackhawk, Concord, Danville, Dublin, El Cerrito, Hercules, Lafayette, Livermore, Martinez, Moraga, Oakley, Orinda, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, Pleasanton, San Ramon and Walnut Creek.

Curious about enhancing your security system with a mobile home security or remote access app, but uncertain where to start?

First, it’s important to know that most are proprietary to the alarm system’s manufacturer. For example, an app for Honeywell won’t work a Bosch alarm panel. Also, a good app will require that you to enter a PIN, have an expiration date, and be able to be disabled by your alarm company if your mobile device is lost or stolen.

Most apps are compatible with iPhone, iPad, Android tablets and other web-enabled devices. While mobile security apps have many features in common, customer satisfaction with an app can vary from company to company.

In addition to turning your alarm on and off, some systems offer other handy functions, such as allowing you to switch lights and appliances on and off. Or watch a live video feed of what is happening in and around the house.

Pro tip: Knowing what automation options you want can help you choose the right system and app for you.   

Always keep in mind that a mobile security app is a nice tool. They can’t take the place of a quality alarm system with a solid communication system that will continue work even if your WiFi signal goes down or a power outage occurs. 

We will continue to keep you updated with the most current information. In the meantime, please let us know if you have any questions or concerns at 925-932-2211. Our business hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.