Technology wise this is true. However, in three areas there are scary opearational differences.
It acts like a souped up version of the traditional phone only when the computer is running. So if the power is out and you don't have a generator of a killer UPS there si no phone; which doesn't happen with traditional phone or alarm systems.
Unless the IP is by satellite it still relies upon a wireline connection of some sort to the network.
In an emergency it is just like the old system fifteen years ago. When you call 9-1-1 be prepared to explain to the dispatcher exactly where you are (especially if you haven't updated the emergency address when you moved) because unlike the more modern landline systems, there is no accurate Automatic Location Information to tell what responders to send. The system tells dispatchers that the call is VOIP and to verify the address. From there they have to determine the proper responder to send - the old faashioned way.
There probably are more but these are the top three scarriest in my book. Having had home burglaries where they cut the phone line and turned off the power.
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The issues you raise should not be that scary and I would like to offer some rebuttal opinions.
VoIP service providers do not require that you have a computer running to obtain service. In fact you do not even have to have a computer to participate although paying for broadband service without a computer, just to get VoIP would cost much more than PSTN service by itself.
The need for power could be considered an issue, however a generator or ?killer UPS? is not required. At best, VoIP adapters and associated broadband router and modem require very little power and can be easily maintained with a UPS costing less than $100.00. In my case I have three Linksys devices that use between 5 and 12 volts and 0.5 to 2.0 amps each and consume = 5 watts of power per device.
I would also wonder how many telephones in use are actually wired handsets? It would not surprise me if the majority were wireless handsets and therefore also subject to power failures.
Sure any networking solution except satellite, microwave, cell service etc. requires a wire line connection. but wether that is cable or DSL the service provider powers or lights the media.
VoIP service providers do not require that you have a computer running to obtain service. In fact you do not even have to have a computer to participate although paying for broadband service without a computer, just to get VoIP would cost much more than PSTN service by itself.
The need for power could be considered an issue, however a generator or ?killer UPS? is not required. At best, VoIP adapters and associated broadband router and modem require very little power and can be easily maintained with a UPS costing less than $100.00. In my case I have three Linksys devices that use between 5 and 12 volts and 0.5 to 2.0 amps each and consume = 5 watts of power per device.
I would also wonder how many telephones in use are actually wired handsets? It would not surprise me if the majority were wireless handsets and therefore also subject to power failures.
Sure any networking solution except satellite, microwave, cell service etc. requires a wire line connection. but wether that is cable or DSL the service provider powers or lights the media.
My $120 UPS will keep the TA and cable modem up for hours.
My cables are buried and not accessible unless they want to snoop in my yard with a detector - a risky proposition for them if they do.
If my service is somehow interrupted, incoming calls are automatically routed to my cell phone.
My service has E-911, so that's not an issue. The location is automatically provided.
My cell phone has 911 and local PD in speed dial, so if 911 fails, I have the local dispatcher as a backup.
My Voip service will locate me at up to 5 numbers if I need to be available for emergencies - or just want automatic forwarding.
Finally, reliability - I had 1-2 outages a year with my Sprint landline, none in the last two years with my VoIP service(ATT).
So, it's hard to be scared of the VoIP service I have today.
My cables are buried and not accessible unless they want to snoop in my yard with a detector - a risky proposition for them if they do.
If my service is somehow interrupted, incoming calls are automatically routed to my cell phone.
My service has E-911, so that's not an issue. The location is automatically provided.
My cell phone has 911 and local PD in speed dial, so if 911 fails, I have the local dispatcher as a backup.
My Voip service will locate me at up to 5 numbers if I need to be available for emergencies - or just want automatic forwarding.
Finally, reliability - I had 1-2 outages a year with my Sprint landline, none in the last two years with my VoIP service(ATT).
So, it's hard to be scared of the VoIP service I have today.
My $120 UPS will keep the TA and cable modem up for hours.
My cables are buried and not accessible unless they want to snoop in my yard with a detector - a risky proposition for them if they do.
If my service is somehow interrupted, incoming calls are automatically routed to my cell phone.
My service has E-911, so that's not an issue. The location is automatically provided.
My cell phone has 911 and local PD in speed dial, so if 911 fails, I have the local dispatcher as a backup.
My Voip service will locate me at up to 5 numbers if I need to be available for emergencies - or just want automatic forwarding.
Finally, reliability - I had 1-2 outages a year with my Sprint landline, none in the last two years with my VoIP service(ATT).
So, it's hard to be scared of the VoIP service I have today.
My cables are buried and not accessible unless they want to snoop in my yard with a detector - a risky proposition for them if they do.
If my service is somehow interrupted, incoming calls are automatically routed to my cell phone.
My service has E-911, so that's not an issue. The location is automatically provided.
My cell phone has 911 and local PD in speed dial, so if 911 fails, I have the local dispatcher as a backup.
My Voip service will locate me at up to 5 numbers if I need to be available for emergencies - or just want automatic forwarding.
Finally, reliability - I had 1-2 outages a year with my Sprint landline, none in the last two years with my VoIP service(ATT).
So, it's hard to be scared of the VoIP service I have today.
My $120 UPS will keep the TA and cable modem up for hours.
My cables are buried and not accessible unless they want to snoop in my yard with a detector - a risky proposition for them if they do.
If my service is somehow interrupted, incoming calls are automatically routed to my cell phone.
My service has E-911, so that's not an issue. The location is automatically provided.
My cell phone has 911 and local PD in speed dial, so if 911 fails, I have the local dispatcher as a backup.
My Voip service will locate me at up to 5 numbers if I need to be available for emergencies - or just want automatic forwarding.
Finally, reliability - I had 1-2 outages a year with my Sprint landline, none in the last two years with my VoIP service(ATT).
So, it's hard to be scared of the VoIP service I have today.
My cables are buried and not accessible unless they want to snoop in my yard with a detector - a risky proposition for them if they do.
If my service is somehow interrupted, incoming calls are automatically routed to my cell phone.
My service has E-911, so that's not an issue. The location is automatically provided.
My cell phone has 911 and local PD in speed dial, so if 911 fails, I have the local dispatcher as a backup.
My Voip service will locate me at up to 5 numbers if I need to be available for emergencies - or just want automatic forwarding.
Finally, reliability - I had 1-2 outages a year with my Sprint landline, none in the last two years with my VoIP service(ATT).
So, it's hard to be scared of the VoIP service I have today.
My $120 UPS will keep the TA and cable modem up for hours.
My cables are buried and not accessible unless they want to snoop in my yard with a detector - a risky proposition for them if they do.
If my service is somehow interrupted, incoming calls are automatically routed to my cell phone.
My service has E-911, so that's not an issue. The location is automatically provided.
My cell phone has 911 and local PD in speed dial, so if 911 fails, I have the local dispatcher as a backup.
My Voip service will locate me at up to 5 numbers if I need to be available for emergencies - or just want automatic forwarding.
Finally, reliability - I had 1-2 outages a year with my Sprint landline, none in the last two years with my VoIP service(ATT).
So, it's hard to be scared of the VoIP service I have today.
My cables are buried and not accessible unless they want to snoop in my yard with a detector - a risky proposition for them if they do.
If my service is somehow interrupted, incoming calls are automatically routed to my cell phone.
My service has E-911, so that's not an issue. The location is automatically provided.
My cell phone has 911 and local PD in speed dial, so if 911 fails, I have the local dispatcher as a backup.
My Voip service will locate me at up to 5 numbers if I need to be available for emergencies - or just want automatic forwarding.
Finally, reliability - I had 1-2 outages a year with my Sprint landline, none in the last two years with my VoIP service(ATT).
So, it's hard to be scared of the VoIP service I have today.
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