Upgrade Your Landline Alarm System to a More Reliable Cellular Connection
If you’re still relying on a traditional landline for your home security system, it may be time to consider an upgrade. While landline-based alarm systems were once the gold standard, they come with major limitations in today’s digital world. With the rise of cellular technology and increasing reliability of wireless communications, many homeowners are now switching to more modern and secure solutions. SafeHomeCentral.com makes this transition easy—even for DIYers—offering expert support 7 days a week.
Why Upgrade from Landline to Cellular?
1. Landline Vulnerabilities
The biggest downside to landline-based alarm systems is their physical vulnerability. A burglar can easily cut an exposed phone line outside your home, immediately disabling the alarm system’s ability to communicate with the central monitoring station.
2. Power Outages and IP Failures
Landline and even internet (IP) connections can fail during power outages. Most people don’t have battery backups for their home routers or phone systems. If your alarm system is relying on these connections, it could become completely useless when the power goes out.
3. Superior Cellular Reliability
Cellular alarm communicators, by contrast, continue to operate even when power is out—thanks to the panel’s backup battery and the communicator’s built-in cellular module. Since cellular networks are much harder to disrupt, they provide a more robust, tamper-resistant communication path to your central monitoring station.
The Simple DIY Solution: Add a Cellular Communicator
Most hardwired alarm panels from the late 1990s to today only support landline communication by default. However, nearly all of these systems can be upgraded to cellular by connecting an external communicator that supports the Contact ID reporting format (which the vast majority do).
Good news: This upgrade is simple enough for a DIYer to handle. At SafeHomeCentral.com, we support you through the entire process—our expert team is available 7 days a week by phone, chat, or email to help walk you through setup, configuration, and testing.
Recommended Communicators from SafeHomeCentral.com
We recommend Alula’s line of versatile and powerful communicators for the most flexible, reliable upgrades.
✅ Alula BAT-Connect
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Connection Options: Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and 4G/5G LTE Cellular
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Carrier Options: Available in either Verizon or AT&T versions
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Remote Access: In many cases, enables remote control of your alarm system via smartphone
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DIY-Friendly: Easy installation for most users
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Availability: Can be found online, including on Amazon
✅ Alula BAT-Mini
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Connection Options: Wi-Fi and Dual-SIM 4G/5G LTE Cellular (no Ethernet port)
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Carrier Options: Uses both AT&T and Verizon networks for best reliability
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Compact Design: Smaller footprint but still very capable
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Ideal Backup Option: Great choice where Ethernet isn’t available
These communicators are among the most flexible options on the market today. Whether your alarm panel is in a finished basement or tucked in a utility closet, there’s an Alula communicator that can work with your home’s setup.
Bonus Feature: Smartphone Remote Control
Upgrading to the Alula BAT-Connect or BAT-Mini doesn’t just make your system more reliable—it also makes it smarter. In many cases, these communicators allow you to remotely arm/disarm, bypass zones, and view event history right from your smartphone using the Alula app. This feature adds incredible convenience and peace of mind, especially when you’re away from home.
What Panels Are Compatible?
As long as your alarm panel supports Contact ID, it can be upgraded. This includes most major brands such as:
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Honeywell/Ademco
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DSC
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GE/Interlogix
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Napco
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And many others
If you’re unsure whether your system is compatible, our tech support team at SafeHomeCentral.com will help you verify and guide you through the best communicator choice for your system.
Why Choose SafeHomeCentral?
At SafeHomeCentral, we specialize in DIY-friendly alarm monitoring solutions with no contracts and affordable pricing. Our cellular monitoring starts as low as $16.95/month, and we offer:
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7-day-a-week technical support
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Fast dispatch times from UL-certified central stations
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No long-term commitments
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DIY-friendly products and support
Switching to cellular doesn’t mean replacing your entire alarm system—it just means upgrading the communication path to something more secure, modern, and resilient.
Ready to Make the Switch?
Browse our recommended communicators and get started today at SafeHomeCentral.com. Need help? Call us at 800-840-6150—we’re here to make your upgrade easy.
- No ContractWe offer all alarm monitoring plans with NO CONTRACTS. No long-term, multi-year commitments. We do offer pre-pay discounts for annual (15%) or just go month to month. Your choice and never any pressure to change.
- Single path Internet ConnectivityConnect to Alula and our UL Central Station via IP Internet communication path.
- Text and eMail NotificationsPush notifications of alarm events right to your phone, tablet, and/or PC. Includes Arm and Disarm, Trouble, AC Loss, etc.
- Daily SupervisionMonitor panel connectivity with signal supervision between the control panel and Alarm.com to know when a panel is not responding.
- Remote Arming/DisarmingArm/disarm system remotely via Alula Connect web or mobile app.
- System Status and Summary of Recent ActivityView an at-a-glance summary showing the current system status and any recent activity at the property via web or mobile apps
- User Code ManagementAdd/delete/edit user codes remotely, and track which users arm/disarm the system at what times. For systems with multiple partitions, choose which partition(s) each user code can access.
- Multiple Permission-Based Web LoginsCreate different “sub-users” for the account and grant varying levels of permissions for each user to view/change various settings in the Total Connect 2 online account.
- Multi-Site AccessAccess multiple security systems from a single account through a convenient drop-down menu in the Total Connect 2 online account and mobile apps. Great for primary home and vacation home.
- AlarmsReceive email/text message notifications for any type of alarm reported by the security system. These automated alarm alerts are in addition to the emergency response services provided by our UL central monitoring station.
- Arming/DisarmingReceive email/text message notifications from Total Connect 2 when the security system is armed or disarmed. These messages are not forwarded to our UL central station for action of logging.
- System EventsReceive email/text message notifications for power failures, sensor tampers and malfunctions, panel low battery, and other types of system events.
- Sensor Activity Monitoring - UnlimitedEven when the security system is disarmed, receive email/text message notifications for non-alarm activity reported by sensors including: door, window, cabinet, motion, and other various sensors. Your system communicates ALL sensor and system activity that occurs 24/7 to AlarmNet's Network Operations Centers, then sends customized notifications to selected recipients.
- Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant SupportAlula interactive services are compatible with both Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant. Can’t find your keyfob? Just ask Alexa to arm or disarm your system.
- No ContractWe offer all alarm monitoring plans with NO CONTRACTS. No long-term, multi-year commitments. We do offer pre-pay discounts for annual (15%) or just go month to month. Your choice and never any pressure to change.
- Internet and Cellular Redundant ConnectivityConnect to Alula and our UL Central Station via IP Internet/WIFI and Cellular for redundant communication paths.
- Text and eMail NotificationsPush notifications of alarm events right to your phone, tablet, and/or PC. Includes Arm and Disarm, Trouble, AC Loss, etc.
- Daily SupervisionMonitor panel connectivity with signal supervision between the control panel and Alarm.com to know when a panel is not responding.
- Remote Arming/DisarmingArm/disarm system remotely via Alula Connect web or mobile app.
- System Status and Summary of Recent ActivityView an at-a-glance summary showing the current system status and any recent activity at the property via web or mobile apps
- User Code ManagementAdd/delete/edit user codes remotely, and track which users arm/disarm the system at what times. For systems with multiple partitions, choose which partition(s) each user code can access.
- Multiple Permission-Based Web LoginsCreate different “sub-users” for the account and grant varying levels of permissions for each user to view/change various settings in the Total Connect 2 online account.
- Multi-Site AccessAccess multiple security systems from a single account through a convenient drop-down menu in the Total Connect 2 online account and mobile apps. Great for primary home and vacation home.
- AlarmsReceive email/text message notifications for any type of alarm reported by the security system. These automated alarm alerts are in addition to the emergency response services provided by our UL central monitoring station.
- Arming/DisarmingReceive email/text message notifications from Total Connect 2 when the security system is armed or disarmed. These messages are not forwarded to our UL central station for action of logging.
- System EventsReceive email/text message notifications for power failures, sensor tampers and malfunctions, panel low battery, and other types of system events.
- Sensor Activity Monitoring - UnlimitedEven when the security system is disarmed, receive email/text message notifications for non-alarm activity reported by sensors including: door, window, cabinet, motion, and other various sensors. Your system communicates ALL sensor and system activity that occurs 24/7 to AlarmNet's Network Operations Centers, then sends customized notifications to selected recipients.
- Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant SupportAlula interactive services are compatible with both Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant. Can’t find your keyfob? Just ask Alexa to arm or disarm your system.
- No ContractWe offer all alarm monitoring plans with NO CONTRACTS. No long-term, multi-year commitments. We do offer pre-pay discounts for annual (15%) or just go month to month. Your choice and never any pressure to change.
- UL Central StationWe have trained operators ready to respond and verify your alarm signals 24x7x365. This includes burglary alarms, life safety such as fire and CO, status signals (AC loss), and environmental alerts such as low temperature or flood detection. Upto 75 zones of protection which is more than you'll ever need!
- Single path Internet ConnectivityConnect to Alula and our UL Central Station via IP Internet communication path.
- Alarm Monitoring CertificateWe supply you right away with a UL central station monitoring certificate for your insurance company so you can enjoy an annual discount on your premium, up to 20%!
- Text and eMail NotificationsPush notifications of alarm events right to your phone, tablet, and/or PC. Includes Arm and Disarm, Trouble, AC Loss, etc.
- Telephone NotificationReceive alarm notifications by telephone. The central station will notify you or a family member/relative, neighbor etc. from your Call List if authorities were dispatched.
- Daily SupervisionMonitor panel connectivity with signal supervision between the control panel and Alarm.com to know when a panel is not responding.
- Remote Arming/DisarmingArm/disarm system remotely via Alula Connect web or mobile app.
- System Status and Summary of Recent ActivityView an at-a-glance summary showing the current system status and any recent activity at the property via web or mobile apps
- User Code ManagementAdd/delete/edit user codes remotely, and track which users arm/disarm the system at what times. For systems with multiple partitions, choose which partition(s) each user code can access.
- Multiple Permission-Based Web LoginsCreate different “sub-users” for the account and grant varying levels of permissions for each user to view/change various settings in the Total Connect 2 online account.
- Multi-Site AccessAccess multiple security systems from a single account through a convenient drop-down menu in the Total Connect 2 online account and mobile apps. Great for primary home and vacation home.
- AlarmsReceive email/text message notifications for any type of alarm reported by the security system. These automated alarm alerts are in addition to the emergency response services provided by our UL central monitoring station.
- Arming/DisarmingReceive email/text message notifications from Total Connect 2 when the security system is armed or disarmed. These messages are not forwarded to our UL central station for action of logging.
- System EventsReceive email/text message notifications for power failures, sensor tampers and malfunctions, panel low battery, and other types of system events.
- Sensor Activity Monitoring - UnlimitedEven when the security system is disarmed, receive email/text message notifications for non-alarm activity reported by sensors including: door, window, cabinet, motion, and other various sensors. Your system communicates ALL sensor and system activity that occurs 24/7 to AlarmNet's Network Operations Centers, then sends customized notifications to selected recipients.
- Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant SupportAlula interactive services are compatible with both Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant. Can’t find your keyfob? Just ask Alexa to arm or disarm your system.
- No ContractWe offer all alarm monitoring plans with NO CONTRACTS. No long-term, multi-year commitments. We do offer pre-pay discounts for annual (15%) or just go month to month. Your choice and never any pressure to change.
- UL Central StationWe have trained operators ready to respond and verify your alarm signals 24x7x365. This includes burglary alarms, life safety such as fire and CO, status signals (AC loss), and environmental alerts such as low temperature or flood detection. Upto 75 zones of protection which is more than you'll ever need!
- Internet and Cellular Redundant ConnectivityConnect to Alula and our UL Central Station via IP Internet/WIFI and Cellular for redundant communication paths.
- Alarm Monitoring CertificateWe supply you right away with a UL central station monitoring certificate for your insurance company so you can enjoy an annual discount on your premium, up to 20%!
- Text and eMail NotificationsPush notifications of alarm events right to your phone, tablet, and/or PC. Includes Arm and Disarm, Trouble, AC Loss, etc.
- Telephone NotificationReceive alarm notifications by telephone. The central station will notify you or a family member/relative, neighbor etc. from your Call List if authorities were dispatched.
- Daily SupervisionMonitor panel connectivity with signal supervision between the control panel and Alarm.com to know when a panel is not responding.
Dispatch
Cellular w/ App
Mobile App Control
Central Station Dispatch
We offer all alarm monitoring plans with NO CONTRACTS. No long-term, multi-year commitments. We do offer pre-pay discounts for annual (15%) or just go month to month. Your choice and never any pressure to change.$ 20.95 Cell and IP
We offer all alarm monitoring plans with NO CONTRACTS. No long-term, multi-year commitments. We do offer pre-pay discounts for annual (15%) or just go month to month. Your choice and never any pressure to change.- No ContractWe offer all alarm monitoring plans with NO CONTRACTS. No long-term, multi-year commitments. We do offer pre-pay discounts for annual (15%) or just go month to month. Your choice and never any pressure to change.
- UL Central StationWe have trained operators ready to respond and verify your alarm signals 24x7x365. This includes burglary alarms, life safety such as fire and CO, status signals (AC loss), and environmental alerts such as low temperature or flood detection. Upto 75 zones of protection which is more than you'll ever need!
- Internet and Cellular Redundant ConnectivityConnect to Alula and our UL Central Station via IP Internet/WIFI and Cellular for redundant communication paths.
- Alarm Monitoring CertificateWe supply you right away with a UL central station monitoring certificate for your insurance company so you can enjoy an annual discount on your premium, up to 20%!
- Text and eMail NotificationsPush notifications of alarm events right to your phone, tablet, and/or PC. Includes Arm and Disarm, Trouble, AC Loss, etc.
- Telephone NotificationReceive alarm notifications by telephone. The central station will notify you or a family member/relative, neighbor etc. from your Call List if authorities were dispatched.
- Daily SupervisionMonitor panel connectivity with signal supervision between the control panel and Alarm.com to know when a panel is not responding.
- Remote Arming/DisarmingArm/disarm system remotely via Alula Connect web or mobile app.
- System Status and Summary of Recent ActivityView an at-a-glance summary showing the current system status and any recent activity at the property via web or mobile apps
- User Code ManagementAdd/delete/edit user codes remotely, and track which users arm/disarm the system at what times. For systems with multiple partitions, choose which partition(s) each user code can access.
- Multiple Permission-Based Web LoginsCreate different “sub-users” for the account and grant varying levels of permissions for each user to view/change various settings in the Total Connect 2 online account.
- Multi-Site AccessAccess multiple security systems from a single account through a convenient drop-down menu in the Total Connect 2 online account and mobile apps. Great for primary home and vacation home.
- AlarmsReceive email/text message notifications for any type of alarm reported by the security system. These automated alarm alerts are in addition to the emergency response services provided by our UL central monitoring station.
- Arming/DisarmingReceive email/text message notifications from Total Connect 2 when the security system is armed or disarmed. These messages are not forwarded to our UL central station for action of logging.
- System EventsReceive email/text message notifications for power failures, sensor tampers and malfunctions, panel low battery, and other types of system events.
- Sensor Activity Monitoring - UnlimitedEven when the security system is disarmed, receive email/text message notifications for non-alarm activity reported by sensors including: door, window, cabinet, motion, and other various sensors. Your system communicates ALL sensor and system activity that occurs 24/7 to AlarmNet's Network Operations Centers, then sends customized notifications to selected recipients.
- Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant SupportAlula interactive services are compatible with both Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant. Can’t find your keyfob? Just ask Alexa to arm or disarm your system.
