Transitioning your alarm system from traditional copper phone lines to
Fiber Optic phone lines

Throughout the communications industry, POTS (Plain old telephone service) lines are being replaced with Fiber Optic phone lines. Consumers with alarm systems that use on a phone service to signal the alarm company when an alert is triggered should contact their alarm company to ensure a smooth transition when making this change.

Hawaiian Telcom fiber optic voice service uses all the same phone jacks as POTS, so there should not need to be any equipment changes by the alarm company. If you think about it, it makes sense because you can use any old analog phone plugged into the same phone jacks as before, so the alarm system is going to be able to do the same.

However, many alarm systems do have to be the first in-line connection to the phone system to work properly. This is where the alarm company technician is important in the process: they need to ensure the RJ31X jack for the alarm system is first in line and that all your individual phone lines come after. This ensures the alarm system can properly seize the phone line in the event an alarm is triggered.

It is also very important to communicate to the Hawaiian Telcom technician that you have an alarm system. We recommend a technician from the alarm company should also be on-site during the change from POTS to fiber. This way the alarm technician can ensure the alarm system is communicating properly and direct the Hawaiian Telcom technician on the placement of the incoming line.

You may also speak to your alarm company about other options for your alarm system to communicate. Most alarm companies support using your high-speed Internet connection as well as wireless phone technologies. Ensuring you have a backup communication plan for your alarm system is important to your safety.