The PSTN is the public switched telephone network which is the legacy telephone network that is being transitioned to an all IP network infrastructure owned and operated by entities such as AT&T, Verizon, and other major telecom providers. The current widespread use of POTS (plain old telephone service) for alarm communications will no longer be a viable communication method for alarm reporting. The FCC has been working to extend this sunset date which is expected to occur over the next four years. Thus, literrally thousands of fire and intrusion alarm systems' old communciation methods must be replaced with either cellular or IP communications. There are a variety of devices and strategies to accomplish this transition. What this means is an opportunity to proactively, and in the best interest of end users across the country, educate about the imminent changes coming and set a viable migration schedule for each end user such that none of your customers are "left stranded" as the FCC fears could happen.
"At this point," says Mark van Valkenburg, "it's not a matter of if, but rather a matter of when. And when is within the next few years."
Proper planning by alarm and intrusion security and life safety systems providers will not only benefit end users, but represents a new business opportunity over the next several years.
Mark van Valkenburg and Alex Caesar are available to discuss the impact of this transition, what it means to your customers, and what it means to your bottom line.
