FTTP with a Yale auto-dialing alarm system, how?

Hi all

I'm with Plusnet and have had a stable 40Mbps connection for years which I'm happy with, albeit that I'd like more speed sometimes. So I need some advice as I plan for the eventual upgrade from FTTC to FTTP.

My connection runs through a trusty Draytek VDSL router which I intend to keep using post switching to FTTP as it provides remote VPN access into my home network and because I've never used any ISP router that I actually like, but the main problem I have is that I have a Yale HSA6400 series alarm that uses the landline to call me and a near-neighbor when triggered. The alarm panel is downstairs and is connected to the master socket in the upstairs home office (aka smallest bedroom!) via a hardwired extension socket (i.e. not merely a trailing extension lead plugging into the master socket).

I'm aware that the moment I upgrade from Plusnet FTTC to Plusnet FTTP (I plan on staying with Plusnet as I've no problems with their service) I will lose the analog telephone line service totally and that Plusnet do not offer any digital replacement as I'm lead to understand some other ISPs do. I have no need for an analog line other than for the alarm system, so what do I do here?

I'm not that knowledgeable on what kit is used for FTTP, I've read elsewhere you can plug an analog phone into the kit BT provide but is that into the router they provide or the modem itself (I seem to understand they are separate devices?). Can the extension for the alarm be connected also?

or is there any device that I could just plug the alarm's phone line into that would then use the internet to send an alert to me (I'm up for something that is a little homebrew as I'm a programmer and can foresee a Pi project might exist somewhere or is there a box that uses VoIP or mobile services to dial the call instead?

Or am I just better off junking the alarm and getting something newer that does link to the internet out of the box? Yale do produce such systems but they're not cheap and I'm loathed to junk an alarm that otherwise works well (and yes, I do know the HSA6400 series doesn't have the most secure or robust wireless connection security between sensors and panel but I'm not in a high-risk area and can't imagine any ne'er-do-well that tries to break in in this area will come tooled up with jamming equipment for this alarm!). If junking it is a better/cheaper option, what would you suggest to replace it?

Thanks in advance for your sage wisdom all!

There is no ‘modem’ as such. On FTTP you will be given an ONT (Optical Network Termination) from this you will link to your router via an RJ45 cable.

Yes, ISP’s routers that can provide a digital voice service will require you to connect to a phone jack on the back of their router.

Plusnet do not seem interested in offering a digital voice service, as yet.

Solutions include , porting your voice service to an IP based provider prior to going over to FTTP (Sipgate for example) then getting kit to convert into alarm usable voice.

Can your current kit be converted to run on a mobile sim instead ?

I suspect the most hassle free would be an upgrade to your current alarm system to allow it to run on IP, once this is done you are good to go if and when you upgrade to FTTP

Bound to be offered plenty of other solutions too

Thanks for the reply.

So having done a little bit more googling this afternoon, I come across some cheap VoIP adapters a lot, that all oddly look exactly the same, such as this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Topiky-Internet-Adapter-Gat...

Would this be suitable? It appears they are not for the non-tech savvy so I should be ok to get this going as long as I can get the instructions for it, do you think this would work?

It might be worth chatting with Yale but I have a feeling that you could change your existing HSA6400 hub to a Yale smart home hub and keep all your existing sensors alarms etc. This connects via ethernet to your router hub and allows full control of all your alarm functions via your mobile. You can even add cameras if you are getting paranoid.

Alarm diallers over VoIP - they might work or they might not. They may work one day but not the next ...

I would suggest updating te alarm to a professional grade system - have a good look at Texecom Premier Elite which can use wired or wireless detectors - PIR, contacts, glass break, fire/smoke, wired/wireless/dummy_flashing sounders and then use their SmartCom to provide the IP interface (WiFi or Ethernet). Install the app on your phone, that of your wife/partner &c and you will get any alerts - access, alarm, fire, &c sent direct to your phone. You can also use the app to arm or disarm if you wish.

I have just done an install in a house where they have Plusnet FTTC and teh Plusnet hub - linkig to te hub on WiFi took 30 seconds and has now been up for about 4 weeks. The intention is later this year for them to migrate to Plusnet FTTP - change will take 30 seconds if I am on site or 5 minutes if done on a call!.

Is the auto dialler a separate device that is triggered by a dry contact or similar? If it is then I would look at just replacing that unit with a GSM version and putting a cheap SIM in, rather than a VoIP subscription and sorting out cabling just for use with your alarm.

In reply to a post by Zarjaz:

Solutions include , porting your voice service to an IP based provider prior to going over to FTTP (Sipgate for example) then getting kit to convert into alarm usable voice.

Would porting voice cause a Plusnet VDSL cease, hence potentially no broadband until FTTP is installed/activated?

In reply to a post by 4M2:

In reply to a post by Zarjaz:

Solutions include , porting your voice service to an IP based provider prior to going over to FTTP (Sipgate for example) then getting kit to convert into alarm usable voice.

Would porting voice cause a Plusnet VDSL cease, hence potentially no broadband until FTTP is installed/activated?

Oh yeah, good point … or maybe have Plusnet move the service to SOGEA ?

Maybe the specific DN isn’t that important to the OP ?

It might be OK, I’m not well versed in such things. There is a specific VOIP section elsewhere on the forum, you could ask about that kit on there ?

or the op could just leave the pn dsl as is. ask for a new fttp connection and then sort out the phone number issue afterwards !

In reply to a post by Zarjaz:

Maybe the specific DN isn’t that important to the OP ?

Yes the OP says: "I have no need for an analog line other than for the alarm system" so the use of an ATA for the sole benefit of his current alarm system may cause acute difficulties if he was to port his number to a VoIP provider, "upgrade" to Plusnet FTTP (broadband only) and retain his current preferred router.

In the short term he could have a FTTP (broadband only) service installed/activated as a separate account. The Plusnet VDSL/ PSTN landline and his alarm system would remain active until any potential VoIP, router and alarm system issues are resolved.

The dialler is built into the control panel itself and is triggered whenever any sensor triggers the alarm. It's a relatively basic integrated system for the home consumer market, not a sophisticated modular system that can easily have parts of it isolated and replaced, sadly.

In reply to a post by andrewh1973:

Or am I just better off junking the alarm and getting something newer that does link to the internet out of the box? Yale do produce such systems but they're not cheap and I'm loathed to junk an alarm that otherwise works well (and yes, I do know the HSA6400 series doesn't have the most secure or robust wireless connection security between sensors and panel but I'm not in a high-risk area and can't imagine any ne'er-do-well that tries to break in in this area will come tooled up with jamming equipment for this alarm!). If junking it is a better/cheaper option, what would you suggest to replace it?

Personally I use HKC systems - very modular, not the most expensive hardware but in the 10+ years I've been using them (I have three such systems) they are very reliable and the app works really well. The oldest system has been upgraded from the fixed line based diallers, to GSM/fixed analogue line to now running an IP network connection (they do both WiFi and Ethernet) + backup cellular connection.

The dual WiFi/cellular connection is bundled in with the alarm connectivity annual fee, (HKC SecureCom cloud connection dual path) around £62 per annum.

Have you checked the PN do now offer VOIP ?

I helped a friend move to them a couple of months back and he HAD to keep the land line

There is the Grandstream HT801 ATA Adapter.

You would need a VOIP provider such as Voipfone. No need to port your number and the problems with doing that if yiou don't mind the alarm calls coming from another number.

I have a Texecom Premier Elite alarm panel with the CompIP ethernet adapter. .

They don't. See the https://www.plus.net/broadband/full-fibre/ answer to 'What happens with my phone line if I choose a Full Fibre package'

If you migrate from another provider to Plusnet FTTP you have the option of either keeping your PSTN service with the existing provider, or ceasing it.

If you are an existing Plusnet customer and migrate to FTTP the PSTN service is ceased.

In reply to a post by Sean_123:

It might be worth chatting with Yale but I have a feeling that you could change your existing HSA6400 hub to a Yale smart home hub and keep all your existing sensors alarms etc. This connects via ethernet to your router hub and allows full control of all your alarm functions via your mobile. You can even add cameras if you are getting paranoid.

Yes, that is an option as I have done exactly the same - switched from the Control Panel based HSA6400 system to one with the hub in it - it's the one contained in this kit..

https://www.toolstation.com/yale-hsa-app-enabled-ala...

I was lucky enough to find just the hub on sale from the eBay shop Yale has, but I can't see any currently there. It has to be the HSA compatible hub, not the Smart Hub. You can use the app to solely arm/disarm it but I also bought the small keypad they sell to have that option too - more for my kids than myself as we (wife and I) have the remote key fobs.
If you install the keypad it has to be positioned before any point where you would pass a PIR sensor as the way the PIR sensors can be configured differs slightly in the app compared to the Control Panel. In the CP a PIR could be set as an entry sensor to allow a path to the CP, on the app all PIRs are instant burgler activated when the system is fully armed.

As I upgraded the hub before I had FTTP as an option I never tested if the Control Panel worked on the VoIP service I now have - Digital Voice with Zen 500.
The hub just connects straight into the router by ethernet cable and all the sensors remain the same. You just need to remove the Control Panel from the system (siren) and add (pair) the hub to the siren.

You then use the app to control the system and can arm/disarm etc. from the app. It (the hub) can also integrate with Google Home and can be used within routines. e.g. I have it set to part-arm my system when I run the Good Night routine and fully arm it when I run the Leaving Home routine.

tdw42.

Coming from another provider who are LLU we were not offered a pstn cease only that they did not provide Voip but I don't recall that prevented us from ordering FTTP.

The friend came from Adsl and was happy with FTTC in any case.

I have not yet looked at the PN page but I wonder about your last line.

"If you are an existing Plusnet customer and migrate to FTTP the PSTN service is ceased".

Perhaps it's just the wording.

Seems a disincentive offer, no Voip available and a auto cease.

I do know of folks making all calls over mobile so did not need a pstn but there must be , like me, people still in need of a fixed phone.

Presumably if you did need pstn you could go to another provider and retain the copper ?.

In reply to a post by lmschuffer:

Presumably if you did need pstn you could go to another provider and retain the copper ?.

Probably best done before "stop sell" in September?

2M4

True, but I was thinking more of those upgrading ( or moving to with a change of provider ) from ADSL or FTTC and so that would already be active and you could perhaps remain with your current supplier for just voice.

I wonder how many other ISP, particularly alt nets, there are with no VOIP service ?

Clearly gone are the days of if you want BB we must have your line provision as well.

In reply to a post by lmschuffer:

...but I was thinking more of those upgrading ( or moving to with a change of provider ) from ADSL or FTTC and so that would already be active and you could perhaps remain with your current supplier for just voice.

If a current provider (or future provider) of an end user's xDSL broadband and PSTN voice account also sells a standalone PSTN voice service (e.g. possibly BT retail?) then it may be possible to cease the xDSL on the line and retain the current PSTN service and number.

However an "upgrade" from xDSL to FTTP and retention of a PSTN service could be problematic - one would have to check with the current or future providers. Alternatively a fresh installation/activation of FTTP (broadband only) whilst the xDSL/PSTN line remains active would allow one to have continuous broadband/voice access prior to transfering the PSTN line to another provider and the ceasation of xDSL.