The news

Last week Bell Canada announced the availability of Home Monitoring, an innovative new service that leverages high-speed mobile wireless and Internet services from Bell to deliver an easy-to-use and fully customizable home monitoring and security solution.

I had the opportunity to sit down for an hour with Jeff Crews who is the VP of Bell Home Monitoring yesterday.

The service is really interesting. In addition to being a wireless home security system, Home Monitoring also provides users with a web portal where you can monitor various alerts like when windows or doors were opened. These can then spawn emails, text messages or phone calls warning you that something is going on at home.

The cost is $299 for the base kit which includes 2 sensors, motion detector and Remote keypad.

Overall, this has tremendous potential.

The major downside I see is the cost. Depending on the package, monitoring is $19.99 or $29.95 a month plus $5 for professional monitoring plus $7.95 for video monitoring.

In addition, equipment is costly. Additional window sensors are $59.95, additional motion detectors are $74.95, additional siren $124.95 and a video camera $129.

I will be producing an article later today but thought some members might have some thoughts.

Hugh

Read Inside Bell's new Home Monitoring Service (http://www.digitalhome.ca/content/view/1705/98/1/0/) for more information.

I guess the quality of the hardware has yet to be proven, but all things being equal, this appears to be a fair value compared to current industry offerings.

One of the features that isn't really talked about too much in the article is the fact that the signal path to the monitoring centre is over their wireless data network. This is a feature that the traditional alarm companies charge very dearly for (up to $500 for the radio, and a $10 premium for the data service over and above the monthly monitoring fee).

This will appeal very much to the people that are concerned about cut phone lines or VOIP connectivity issues.

The timing of this offering is no mistake. Most of the wireless alarm communicators in service today are on the AMPS network which is being phased out this spring. There will be tens of thousands of customers across the country that are faced with the prospect of having to buy new equipment. Very smart move, Bell.

Interesting article. A couple of thoughts crossed my mind. Since it is RF (I assume it works with standard RF networking technology), how easy will it be for crooks to jam the system. How long will it be before cheaper, competing hardware is on the market?

I have heard of people using computers and the internet to monitor homes for years now. All that is required is a web cam, some free software, an old PC and an internet connection. The additions here are extra monitoring devices and "professional" monitoring. The monitoring is probably in the form of software and a few techs to respond to alerts generated by the software. The Bell system seems a bit expensive but I am sure there are lots of people who can afford it.

I guess the quality of the hardware has yet to be proven, but all things being equal, this appears to be a fair value compared to current industry offerings.

A little more research reveals that the hardware is manufactured by Visonic (http://www.visonic.com), which is one of the more reputable companies in the business with many years of experience. Bell has provided a 1X mobile radio to them to provide a signal path which isn't dependant on your home phone connection.

The installation, though, is performed by GeekSquad, which I thought to be strange. Granted, it's only $99 for their service but I'm not sure you'd be getting any more expertise than if you DIYed it.

Nice research Beef. I have no idea why anyone, except those are hopeless at even the smallest of DIY jobs, would need installation help.

Now the question is "Do we have any idea of the reliability of Visonic devices?"

Visonic has been around for many years and is used by professional alarm installers. They are one of the largest motion sensor manufacturers in the world.

This iteration of product appears to be a derivative of their PowerMax series which has been around for a few years through other suppliers, so it's not unproven technology.

As for needing professional installation, probably the most problematic issue is the placement of motion detectors. You need to be careful that they are not 'seeing' areas that would normally experience rapid temperature changes, such as windows, fireplaces, furnaces, drafty areas, etc. Also, the height at which they are mounted will alter their effective range. DIYers should pay close attention to the mounting instructions.

But because the predecessor has been around for years doesn't mean the new wireless sensors have been.

According to Bell, the software was signifcantly altered for use by Bell. In my experience, change in software typically introduces bugs in the software.

I'm not saying it won't work out of the box. I'm only saying that, before I plunked down my hard earned cash, I would be very keen to talk to some satisfied customers first!

Regarding professional installation, Bell is positioning this as a DIY'er activity so the reality is that most installs will NOT be done by professionals. Honestly I also wonder what experience the average GeekSquad member has installing motion sensors et al?

According to Bell, the software was signifcantly altered for use by Bell. In my experience, change in software typically introduces bugs in the software.

It's not a very sophisticated product, so I would expect that any bugs would have been easily detected at cUL compliance testing...assuming it is listed....did you happen to notice? I know their monitoring station is not, but that's under Bell's control, not Visonic's.

And I agree about GeekSquad. They will not bring much in the way of expertise!

It's not a very sophisticated product, so I would expect that any bugs would have been easily detected at cUL compliance testing.

My gut would agree but my brain still wants to see it perform.

It will be nice to hear from people who get the system. I personally use alarm force because it's a cheap wireless system. I would jump to this bell solution really fast if I read positive reviews from people using it.

Alarm force is a real piece of junk. The monitoring station doesn't know what sensor triped or who armed/disarmed the system.

This bell product looks like a great blend of both wired/wireless and has additional features that are cutting edge like web configuration, self monitoring. I'm very excited.

Yes alarm force doesn't have all the feature and you are right Centrex but they are fast.

I have tested their system and they are fast. First the 2way call, and then if they get no answer a personal phone call and verification of your PIN.

As to the wireless line cut technology well just do a really go job at rewiring/hiding your out side box/line and no need for this extra expense.

I have experience several alarms going off and the only company that arrive within 30min was AF maybe they were around the work site but they came in less than 10min.

If Bell could offer this then I would agree that it does have a lot more features specially for my cleaning lady (to see if she does clean during all the 4 hours that she is there) and to have the option to monitor any babysitting that I might get (finally trust) in the future.

Cheers!!

Bell does have guard response when you choose them to help monitor the system. I believe they charge $5/month for them to help monitor and $50/visit charge for the guard.

Guys this thread is about Bell Home Monitoring so please lets keep discussion of AF out.

I just got the system last night and hooked it up , seems to work well , I get a call when the alarm goes off and an email / txt msg.
Was easy to install .. the Geeksquad only installs the Video .. I tried installing the linksys Wireless Video camera a month ago and was told that Bell did not support port forwarding / bridging the modem .. so I guess the geek squad have teh secret ha ha

Can you now monitor from any internet site and how is the quality?

Could you verify the total cost? I have gone to their site but it gets all fuzzy when you try to add up all the cost!

Total basic cost $
additional cost $
B.Monitoring fee $
Internet Moni. $
fee
Private S.Guard $
fee

I am considering considering once my AF contract is up, it sound like a good service.

Thanks

Does the panel know what field devices are out there? I mean, if one of them gets disabled by someone or malfunctions, will the panel know and inform the owner?

MarcP, as I recall, the devices do signal the home base regularly but, off the top, I don't know if you are notified on the panel.

badass11, I belive in my review, I laid out the dollar amounts.

Yes, the devices are supervised, and if they do not call home within a determined period, a trouble signal is sent.

Can Bell monitoring equipment made by Visonic be used without any activation or monthly service from Bell. I wouldn't mind using it has a stand alone system. I realize some of the features couldn't be used. But the ones I am interested in would be the sensor triggered siren alarm. Perhaps also using my existent non Bell internet to get notified via email, or at least via phone line.