ADT Security Services announces that more than 25 IP-based telephone services providers located throughout the United States have confirmed their phone networks meet the characteristics required by ADT to be a primary method of transmitting alarm signals to ADT's Customer Monitoring Centers.

Together, the companies represent nearly all of the digital phone services markets and provide coverage to nearly every region of the United States.

ADT also announced it is expanding its Voice over Internet Protocol/Digital Phone policy to cover burglar alarm monitoring for business customers following its successful roll out to residential customers in late 2006. ADT is among the first nationwide security services companies to allow business burglar alarm monitoring using qualified VoIP/digital phone service providers as a primary method of alarm signal transmission.

John Koch, president of ADT North America, said strong support by the cable and telecommunications companies has helped ADT extend its leadership position within the security industry.

"ADT's on-going relationships with cable and telecommunications companies have paved the way for both residential and commercial customers to take advantage of a majority of the VoIP/digital phone services available while maintaining security monitoring over a network managed and maintained by the service provider for reliability," Koch said.

ADT's policy allows customers to use a phone service provided by a Qualified Managed Facility Voice Network as a primary means of transmitting burglar alarm signals to ADT's 24-hour Customer Monitoring Centers.

ADT established a set of phone network characteristics that IP-based phone services providers must meet in order to be considered a Qualified Managed Facilities Voice Network. These characteristics include managing and maintaining a physical facilities network with major and minor disaster recovery plans in place that include specific network power restoration procedures, offering professional installation of IP-based phone service to preserve primary line seizure for alarm signal transmission, and having a physical facilities network that helps provide real-time transmission of voice signals carrying alarm formats unchanged.

If an IP-based phone services provider has not informed ADT that it meets these characteristics, ADT will continue to require its customers using such phone services to either keep their traditional phone line or to install a cellular transmission system. Regardless of the type of phone service used, ADT always recommends customers use an additional back-up method of communication to connect their alarm system to ADT's monitoring centers.

Customers who switch from a land line to an IP-based telephone service can expect their cable or telecommunications provider to ask them to contact ADT when the new phone service is installed.

ADT customers can contact ADT at 1-800-ADT-ASAP to learn which IP-based phone services are acceptable to ADT as a primary means of alarm communication in their area.