In a technical bulletin to contractors, NAPCO Security
Systems says it has upgraded its software to allow easy use
of its control panels through voice over Internet protocol
(VoIP) phone lines. The latest version of NAPCO PCD-Windows
Quickloader (4.4 or greater) is designed to optimize to use
of VoIP through the NAPCO Gemini series of control
panels.

Even without the upgrade, NAPCO says the Gemini panels can
properly report signals to the central station through
VoIP. They say the panel must be configured to report to
the central station using the contact ID reporting
format.

The increasing use of VoIP among residential customers is
raising >compatibility concerns among alarm companies,
monitoring centers and manufacturers.

While NAPCO says it hasn’t tested its panels with all U.S.
broadband providers, it has conducted testing in its lab
and in the field that confirms its panels’ compatibility.
However, NAPCO still warns contractors test panels on VoIP
lines to be sure they are communicating with the central
station. The manufacturer also recommends a back-up method
of communication and to be sure the plain old telephone
system (POTS) lines have been disconnected from the
telephone wiring after the customer converts to VoIP.

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