The Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA) and other
security associations are trying to provide input to the
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) concerning proposed
regulations for Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). In
turn, the CSAA says it urgently needs comments from its
members concerning VoIP and what the security industry can
do to prevent disruption to burglar and fire alarm
services.
Like DSL and cell phone switching, VoIP may have
compatibility issues with many alarm monitoring systems
(See the
Industry
Pulse: In Depth feature
in the April 2004 issue of SSI). Steve Baker, president
of the Irvine, Calif.-based National Alarm Computer Center
Inc. (NACC), says the disruption of signals created by new
protocols is a real problem for central stations and if not
dealt with will cost them customers.
“Undefined signals are the biggest liability to us,” Baker
told Security Sales & Integration. “Dealers need to
be more proactive.”
The Alarm Industry Communications Committee (AICC) – HREF= t_ci_newsView.cfm?nid=1444>made up of members from
several security industry associations, including the
CSAA – has been seeking regulations from the FCC to control
the effect of VoIP on alarm services. The alarm industry
lobby is putting together a response to the FCC’s Notice of
Proposed Rule Making on VoIP.
The FCC has asked for a reply that describes the threat to
reliable alarm service posed by VoIP, present specific
examples and data of that threat and propose regulatory
solutions.
To form the reply, the CSAA – along with the National
Burglar and Fire Alarm Association (NBFAA) and the Security
Industry Association (SIA) – is asking its members to
provide input on their experiences with VoIP to help form
the reply. Time is short, however, as the CSAA says it
needs responses from its members by June 30.
The CSAA has created a short survey it can provide as a
guide. For more information, E-mail
HREF=mailto:[email protected]>communications@csaaul.
org or call (703) 242-4670.
