Blog

Are You a Spectrum Customer Losing Service?

April 15, 2020|fsstechnologies

When Spectrum closed the doors on its home security system business in February 2020, many customers were left high and dry.

The Spectrum Backstory

Spectrum is a subsidiary of Charter Communications, the second-largest cable provider in the country offering service in 42 states. Charter inherited Spectrum in a 2016 merger with Time Warner Cable and Bright House Network.

Charter stopped marketing the Spectrum home security system almost immediately after the merger but didn’t officially notify customers until December of 2019 that it would cancel the service entirely.

Spectrum systems came standard with two door and window wireless sensors, a wireless motion detector, a touchscreen, yard sign, and window decals. Spectrum sold wireless video cameras and additional sensors as add-ons to its standard system.

The way all Spectrum security components are coded makes them incompatible with other devices, rendering them obsolete in the wake of the closure.

DIY Discounts?

While Spectrum offered existing security service customers discounts on similar services from Ring or Abode, it had no plans to make its equipment compatible with other systems or provide rebates for equipment customers bought.

So why not go with Ring or Abode to provide your security needs? There are several reasons:

  • Security within the security equipment—Earlier this year, we told you about somehacking issues Ring faced and their response to the problem.
  • While Ring has compatibility with Amazon’s Alexa (Ring is an Amazon subsidiary) and Google Home, it has a limited line of equipment that reduces the system’s overall effectiveness.
  • On the equipment front, Abode doesn’t have a built-in streaming camera on the Gateway system, and its add-ons – including door and window sensors – are expensive.
  • There are many potential problems with do-it-yourself security—You won’t have any certified technicians for installation. And, even though Ring, Abode and others tout their straight-from-the-box simplicity, there could be some issues for customers who aren’t especially tech-savvy.

Professional-Grade Security is Affordable

There is a misconception in the marketplace that professional-grade security is costly or that it isn’t as simple to use as out-of-the-box options. That’s simply not true.

At FSS, we offer simple to use mobile apps and equipment that is compatible with Apple Watch, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV.

The difference is that the platform we use to interconnect your security components (Alarm.com) is compatible with equipment from a wide variety of component manufacturers, including systems made by DSC, GE Security, Interlogix, Qolsys, and 2GIG.

We partner with reputable manufacturers and our team meets with each customer individually. We work with you to assess your needs before designing a customizedsystem.

When it comes to price, we bet you’ll be amazed at the affordability of professional home security. A typical 3-bedroom setup might include three door monitors, one motion sensor, one keypad, and an integrated phone app for only $300 and with $35/month professional monitoring.

If other companies have burned you, we’re ready to help.

Explore Our Other Blogs

how-often-fire-inspection-hero-min

How Often Should You Inspect Your Fire Alarm System?

Everyone dreads the day when fire alarm systems are being tested because they are often loud and annoying. However, the importance of making sure your fire alarms are working properly outweighs the small distraction of lights and noise. Putting off a fire alarm inspection can be both risky and negligent for business owners as it…

Continue reading
monitored-security-system-Hero

Monitored vs. Unmonitored Security Systems

If you’re thinking about installing a security system, you may be wondering if monitoring is a necessary feature. While an unmonitored system is better than nothing at all, there are some critical things you should consider before making a decision. The Benefits of Monitoring The noise and commotion caused by the sirens and lights associated…

Continue reading
Window-Motion-Sensor-Placement-Hero

Where Should Window and Motion Sensors be Placed?

Motion and window sensors are basic parts of a security system in both residential and business applications. The expert security team at FSS Technologies has helped thousands of business and property owners stay safe with these tools. Sensors A motion sensor allows a system to detect movement, using waves or light to determine if someone or…

Continue reading
home-insurance-discount-Hero-min

Can You Get a Discount on Home Insurance if You Have a Security System?

Home invasions or burglaries are a threat to any household, regardless of where they are located. One of the biggest deterrents for burglars is a home security system that could record evidence of their actions or could notify the authorities at the time of a break-in. This is a huge motivator for homeowners when deciding…

Continue reading
BusinessBurglary-Hero-min

Which Businesses are Burglarized Most?

The idea of business theft and burglary is not a pleasant one; however, the likelihood of your business being burglarized is rather high. In fact, approximately 37% of small business owners were impacted by burglary or theft over the past year. Retail businesses in particular are highly targeted as thieves are seeking the opportunity to either use or resell stolen items. Everything from simple shoplifting to employee theft can contribute to overall business…

Continue reading
fire-alarm-training-hero-min

Why Night Staff Should Have Fire Alarm Training

In the years that I traveled as a Sales Representative, I experienced many times when a fire alarm would go off throughout the night. As the hotel guests evacuated, I often found that the night staff didn’t know what to do. In almost every case, it was an accidental alarm, and in many cases, night…

Continue reading
Herotestfirealar-min

Testing Fire Alarm Call Points

Most large commercial-grade fire alarms today are addressable systems. Unlike conventional systems that use fire alarm zones, addressable fire alarm systems assign a unique “call point” to every device. Each one sends a digital signal to the main panel, creating a two-way line of communication that shows activations and status updates. An addressable panel can then identify…

Continue reading
FSS_Blog_SmartLocks_Hero

What to Know About Smart Locks

Smart locks have been on the market for several years and continually gain features as technology advances. Learn how useful they can be and how to find the best option for your home or business. What’s a smart lock? Smart locks are door locks controlled digitally. These locks can be monitored and controlled by an…

Continue reading
2020-02_FSSTechnologies_blogs_alarm-monitoring_hero

How Does Fire Alarm Monitoring Work?

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), there is a fire reported in the United States every 23 seconds. If a fire occurs in your home or business, you want to be notified right away. You might be asking yourself, so how does this work? How can I ensure I am protected at all…

Continue reading
smoke-alarms-fire-dept-Hero

Do Smoke Detectors Call the Fire Department?

One of the most asked questions about fire alarm systems is whether smoke detectors call the fire department. The belief that a smoke detector or fire alarm will automatically activate the fire department or send a signal to local first responders is a common misunderstanding. While some systems may be integrated with monitoring services, that’s not always…

Continue reading
24h emergency
Secure My Space