A Quick Guide to Alarm Monitoring
The alarm monitoring market has grown far more sophisticated over the years, with several different types of monitoring now available. This can make choosing the right option confusing, so here's a quick guide to the two main factors you need to consider.
What Is Alarm Monitoring?
Alarm monitoring is the service that responds when your burglar alarm is triggered. Instead of your alarm simply making noise, a monitoring service receives the activation signal and decides what action to take, whether that's calling you, calling the emergency services, or verifying the situation directly.
Two Key Factors to Consider
1. Response Type
This is how the monitoring service reacts when an alarm activates. Options range from simple automated phone calls, to a human controller calling you, through to more advanced systems where a monitoring operator can listen in and speak into the property to verify what's happening before contacting emergency services.
2. Communication Channel
This is how your alarm sends its signal to the monitoring service, typically through one of the following:
Landline: reliable and low-cost if you already have a phone line installed
Mobile/GSM: a wireless back-up that keeps working even if your landline is cut, useful for properties at higher risk
Internet: fast, constant connectivity, often combined with a GSM back-up for extra reliability
Want expert advice?
Speak to a UK security expert - most quotes take less than 10 minutes over the phone.
Which Communication Channel Is Right for You?
For most homes, standard landline monitoring is sufficient. However, if your property is at greater risk of a deliberate attack, such as a line being cut before a break-in, a GSM back-up system adds an important extra layer of reliability so your alarm can still reach the monitoring station.
Why AMCO Insists on Immediate Audio-Response Monitoring
At AMCO, we offer a range of alarm monitoring options, but we insist on one standard across all our systems: immediate audio-response monitoring, also known as LiveTalk. When your alarm activates, our monitoring station can listen in and speak directly into the property, verifying whether there's a genuine emergency before calling the police, fire service or ambulance.
This means faster, more accurate responses and far fewer wasted call-outs compared to standard automated alarm monitoring.
Get the Right Alarm Monitoring for Your Property
Not sure which type of monitoring suits your home or business? Speak to our team for tailored advice on response type, communication channel and the right system for your property.