Landline switch to fiber - how can we make it work with our alarm system?

[Jo2662]

We’ve been informed that our landline is being changed to fibre. Our monitored alarm system currently runs off this line and my question is will the adapter provided by VM work with the alarm? Do we need 2 adapters, one for the landline and one for the alarm? 

[John_GS]

Hi @Jo2662 

Thanks for posting and welcome to the community.

With this, one I would speak to the company behind the alarm system, they'll be able to advise if they need to do anything.

Best,

[Jo2662]

I’ve asked them and they’ve recommended we upgrade our system at a cost of over £1000 which obviously we don’t want to do. Unless VM cover that cost of course.
They say that the monitoring part of the alarm system will only function if there is power to it, ie if there’s a power cut or disconnection the alarm won’t work. Upgrading alarm to radio cuts out that risk. What I am trying to get to the bottom of here is this - will the adaptor to be provided by VM work for the alarm as well as the landline. If so, do we need 2? And would it have to be installed by a Virgin engineer?

[Jo2662]

I’ve asked them and they’ve recommended we upgrade our system at a cost of over £1000 which obviously we don’t want to do. Unless VM cover that cost of course.
Alarm company say that the monitoring part of the alarm system will only function if there is power to it, ie if there’s a power cut or disconnection the alarm won’t work. Upgrading alarm to radio cuts out that risk. What I am trying to get to the bottom of here is this - will the adaptor to be provided by VM work for the alarm as well as the landline. If so, do we need 2? And would it have to be installed by a Virgin engineer?

[Client62 · Accepted solution]

We also have an alarm that uses and Analogue phone line. The idea of replacing the whole system needs to be challenged.

It is important to understand the telephone service from the Hub is an Analogue telephone service - it is not VOIP regardless of how VM may like to advertise it.

It is very likely that your existing Alarm ( like ours ) will work just fine when connected to the Analogue telephone socket of the Hub.   A bit of cable might be needed but that is minor in cost vs a new alarm system.

We can connect a phone + alarm to the Hub using the supplied VM adapter and a BT style telephone splitter, photos follow ...

[goslow]

You need VM to modify your phone wiring so that your existing telephone extension sockets continue to work after the phone switchover.

VM should do this free of charge as part of the switchover programme.

If your alarm uses a simple voice dialler which dials out and plays you a pre-recorded message from the alarm panel then that bit should continue to work.

If the VM hub is not working fully/correctly for any reason though your alarm may not be able to dial out.

In a past topic, a customer whose alarm sent electronic data to a data centre, which then became a SMS text message to the homeowner, found the dial out function and data transfer did not work after switchover.

Alarm companies have not been backwards in coming forwards to try to sell new alarm systems off the back of the phone switchover programme.

Standard cut/paste answer ref telephone sockets after switchover is ...

Ask VM (via the VM forum team on here, when they reply to this topic) to modify your home phone wiring so you can use your existing landline extension sockets via the phone connection from the VM hub.

VM should offer to do this free of charge for you as part of the switchover process.

Make sure they make modifications to your phone wiring so you can keep each piece of equipment in the same place (rather than the offer which sometimes crops up on here to move the hub to a different location)

Refer here https://www.virginmedia.com/help/landline/switchover

Do I need to book a technician visit? You’ll need to book a free technician visit if...

• You rely on your landline for accessibility needs or don’t have a mobile to make an emergency call – we’ll provide you with an Emergency Back Up Line so you’re always able to call emergency services.
• You’ve got connected devices such as a burglar alarm linked to a control centre, use a telecare device, or have other phones connected to extension sockets. You’ll need to contact your provider and let them know about the switch if you have any of these to make sure they’re compatible with a fibre service.
• The Hub and your home phone can’t be placed near each other.

[Jo2662]

Hi John

Will VM modify our home phone wiring so we can use your existing landline extension sockets via the phone connection free of charge for us as part of the switchover process?

We would require modifications to our phone wiring so we can keep each piece of equipment in the same place.

Reference  https://www.virginmedia.com/help/landline/switchover

Do I need to book a technician visit? You’ll need to book a free technician visit if...

• You rely on your landline for accessibility needs or don’t have a mobile to make an emergency call – we’ll provide you with an Emergency Back Up Line so you’re always able to call emergency services.
• You’ve got connected devices such as a burglar alarm linked to a control centre, use a telecare device, or have other phones connected to extension sockets. You’ll need to contact your provider and let them know about the switch if you have any of these to make sure they’re compatible with a fibre service.
• The Hub and your home phone can’t be placed near each other.

[John_GS]

Hi @Jo2662 

I'll send you a PM now to book this in.

Best wishes.