The signal from your alarm system is transmitted to the Monitoring Station.
Once the signal is received operator will dispatch authorities (Police or Guard Service) and try to reach you to confirm the actual alarm. If you are not available they try to contact other people listed on your contact list. They also notify the alarm company in case of any irregularity.

Depending on the protocol of the communication and the way the signal is delivered transmission of the signal could take as little as few seconds.
Another factor of the transmission timing is how old the system is. If the system was installed 7-10 years ago this could even take longer. Like the computers technology, alarm systems change very quickly. To keep up with technology you should upgrade your system once in a while.


There are different ways how the alarm system can send the signal to the Monitoring Station depending on the insurance company requirements, budget and the ability to provide the service.

The most common connection between the alarm system and the Monitoring Station is the telephone line. This is dial up procedure. Alarm panel must dial the special number to reach the Monitoring Station and send the signal.
Because it uses dial up option the communication depends on the ability of the phone lines.

Another way to communicate with the Monitoring Station is to use the cellular network. This could be used in the conjunction with the telephone dial-up service as a back-up or as a standing alone unit.
Last two years show that wireless communication is growing strong. Some new technologies appeared on the market which cuts the cost of the equipment and speed up the communication with the Monitoring Station. One of them is Alarm Net, other are Up Link and Sky route. There are some small differences among these systems but the main principle is simple. They use digital channel of the analog cellular network. The old analog cellular network uses digital channel to perform automation task such as turning your ringer on when the call is coming to your phone. Analog channel of the cellular phone is used to carry your conversation with the other party. Digital channel is so powerful that it keeps working even if your analog channel stops (eg. lost the signal). Another thing about the digital channel is that, in contrast to analog channel, it is almost unused. Since the cellular network well covers most of the urban centers and the main routes, building of the additional transmitters has been unnecessary. This was ideal situation to use this network to transmit the signal from the alarm system to the Monitoring Station. Someone have had good idea and everybody jumped on the same wagon. The result is the single unit attached to your alarm system that uses digital channel of the cellular network to send the signal to the Monitoring Station. The cost of the unit starts from $400.00 and up and there is a low monthly fee (in comparison to cellular usage fees). There is no annual license fee ($45.00), no telephone number required and no busy signals any more on the cellular network. Some of the additional features of this communication offers the supervision of the transmitting equipment at your house (additional fee required).

One of the most expensive networks is D-VACS. It is provided by the local telephone company and it is limited depending in which area you live in and the distance from the Monitoring Station. This type of the network is in the constant communication with the monitoring station. Once the loop is broken it triggers the alarm at the Monitoring Station. The communication protocol is very fast and very efficient. The cost of the equipment and maintenance is high and therefore most of the times it is used to protect high value assets (banks, computer stores, electronic stores, etc.). Some of the insurance companies requires installation of this type of the network. Monthly fee starts from $100.00.