Honeywell Reaches 1 Million Subscribers For GSM Alarm Radios

Honeywell has crossed the 1 million subscriber threshold for GSM alarm radios. The radios are used to transmit signals to central monitoring stations – a milestone further indicative of consumers choosing digital communications technology for its ability to provide unique services that have redefined the modern-day security system.

Over the past few years, the rise of GSM – the world’s most-popular cell phone network – as a reliable alarm-communications path has opened the door to services that have made home and business security a bigger and more-visible part of daily routines. For instance, the ability to manage a security system from a smart phone or mobile tablet has allowed consumers to stay connected to their homes from any location. As a result, many home and business owners have practically made solutions such as Honeywell Total Connectä Remote Services – which allows home and business owners to control security systems from any Internet-connected device – standard features on any alarm system.

“GSM technology was originally introduced as an alternative to standard, analog phone lines that were rapidly starting to be phased out of our homes and unreliable VoIP systems, but now it’s far more than an alternative – it’s easily a preferred choice,” said Gordon Hope, general manager of Honeywell’s AlarmNet communications network. “GSM networks are continuing to evolve, as we’re seeing with the advent of 3G and 4G radios, which means home and business owners will best be served using radios capable of handling a variety of network speeds. That has been one of the primary drivers of Honeywell’s product roadmap.”

Honeywell, for example, recently released its LYNX Touch 5100 self-contained system, which uses GSM communications technology. The system selects a 2G, 3G or 4G network – whichever is available in the immediate location. This approach helps ensure the best signal speed, reliability and system longevity in a world of rapidly changing communications networks. In the case that a 2G, 3G or 4G network is unavailable, SMS technology is employed as a back-up.

"Everyone knows that any technology is almost outdated the minute it leaves the store, but you can’t afford to have an outdated security system,” Hope said. “Our GSM solutions help shepherd in the next wave of alarm radios because it improves system longevity, even with a constant churn of technology. That peace of mind is hard to replicate.”

Featured

  • The Evolution of IP Camera Intelligence

    As the 30th anniversary of the IP camera approaches in 2026, it is worth reflecting on how far we have come. The first network camera, launched in 1996, delivered one frame every 17 seconds—not impressive by today’s standards, but groundbreaking at the time. It did something that no analog system could: transmit video over a standard IP network. Read Now

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

New Products

  • Luma x20

    Luma x20

    Snap One has announced its popular Luma x20 family of surveillance products now offers even greater security and privacy for home and business owners across the globe by giving them full control over integrators’ system access to view live and recorded video. According to Snap One Product Manager Derek Webb, the new “customer handoff” feature provides enhanced user control after initial installation, allowing the owners to have total privacy while also making it easy to reinstate integrator access when maintenance or assistance is required. This new feature is now available to all Luma x20 users globally. “The Luma x20 family of surveillance solutions provides excellent image and audio capture, and with the new customer handoff feature, it now offers absolute privacy for camera feeds and recordings,” Webb said. “With notifications and integrator access controlled through the powerful OvrC remote system management platform, it’s easy for integrators to give their clients full control of their footage and then to get temporary access from the client for any troubleshooting needs.”

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure.