Landline, VoIP or Cellular Network: A Look at Connection Options

The traditional landline is the most dependable solution, as it is the standard communication system in most homes. Using it implies extra fees for you to pay, but it is an accident-proof option. Think about it: landlines are operated on a separate electric grid, thus even if the lights go out, you can rely on the landline to call for help. And in an emergency, a dependable service is very important. Using the medical alert service with the phone line doesn’t increase your bills either, as the console dials a toll-free number. The landline is a firm point in most elder people’s lives, and you can be sure that most medical alert companies have a standard home unit that is compatible with a landline.

VoIP may sound alienating and complicated at first, but referring to it as internet calling can quickly clear the picture. With this specific solution, your telephone connects to the internet instead of the pre-wired landline. This is a very attractive option for most people, as internet connections are pretty rife nowadays, and using this as a prime source for phone and medical alert calls is a given. Why should you pay extra money for using the landline if the internet is also available, right? Personal emergency care companies are well aware of this growing trend, so they developed in-home units with VoIP capabilities.

Cellular networks are mostly used by mobile and on-the-go emergency systems. This option gives you the biggest freedom, as you are relieved from the constant boundary of cable-connected consoles. You can step outside the house, and protection follows you wherever you go. Some advanced home units also offer cellular compatibility, thus allowing you to place them anywhere in the room.

The biggest drawback of the cellular network is that it makes you dependable on coverage. In rural lands or intact wilderness the radio signals are weaker or completely unreachable, which renders the mobile alert system useless. Some buildings also block the signal. Not to mention that wireless signals are slower and less efficient than landlines and VoIP. A good pick for medical alert system using cellular networks is Medical Guardian or LifeFone.