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

cctv-vs-ip-Hero-min

Analog vs. IP Cameras: Key Differences

When you are considering different security systems and potentially implementing surveillance cameras into your home or business, a big question is whether you want IP or analog cameras. Global Market Insights estimates that the IP camera market will be worth more than 20 billion by 2025. With today’s technology both IP and analog systems can be viewed…

Continue reading
Hero-manufacturi

Fire Systems for the Manufacturing Industry

Few industries face as many fire safety concerns as manufacturing does, and the consequences of poor fire safety can be catastrophic. From 2017 to 2021, roughly 36,784 fires occurred yearly at industrial or manufacturing properties, causing $1.5 billion in direct property damage. With materials prone to combust or explode, industrial businesses must take extra care…

Continue reading
FSS_Hero

Smart Home Security & How to Implement

Home Security Paired with Home Automation Security vs. home automation is the friendliest rivalry around. Why? Because they play so well together. Security systems used to have a singular focus—keeping unwanted people out of a house. But as technology evolves, security equipment placement throughout the home for protection performs a dual purpose: Helping homeowners with…

Continue reading
HomeSecurity-ForDisabilities-Hero

Home Security Solutions for People with Disabilities

According to the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC), one in five American adults live with a disability. The most common disabilities are hearing or vision impairments, mobility issues like arthritis or a diminished ability to live independently, speech and language challenges, and cognitive conditions including dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Recently we talked about…

Continue reading
HeroWireVsLess-min

Wired vs. Wireless Security Cameras

Wired or Wireless? When we talk about wired versus wireless in-home security, it has little to do with whether a piece of equipment has physical wires attached to it. The terms wired and wireless refer to the communication signal that is transmitted from one piece of security equipment to another. For a security system to…

Continue reading
Hero-winter-fire-min

Winter Commercial Fire Safety Tips

While fire safety and prevention are crucial year-round, unique fire hazards accompany winter’s freezing temperatures. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that many holiday-related factors contribute to an increased fire risk during the winter months, and commercial settings are just as vulnerable. Besides creating and reviewing company-wide fire safety procedures, here are 4 tips…

Continue reading
FSS_DecBlog_VideoVer_Hero-min

What is Video Alarm Verification?

Video alarm verification is a tried-and-true technology that is an underused component in residential and commercial security systems. Video alarm verification adds an extra element to your overall security by partnering your security system with an alarm monitoring center. When an alarm is triggered, video alarm verification allows monitoring center employees to view the situation…

Continue reading
home-security-cameras-used-in-court-Hero

Can Video Surveillance Be Used In Court?

You should talk to a law enforcement professional in your area to know for sure what is admissible in your local court, but here are some general guidelines about criteria that law enforcement will take into consideration regarding your security camera video. Authenticity A digital watermark is undetectable to the human eye, but it can…

Continue reading
Savance-blog-Hero

How Savance Workplace Can Work for You

Savance Workplace is one of the nation’s leaders in workforce management solutions, offering tools that help declutter your company’s processes and optimize your productivity. With a wide variety of fully customizable products branded for your business, Savance Workplace can help your organization take its efficiency to the next level. As a trusted partner of Savance…

Continue reading
8-home-security-tips-Hero-min

8 Home Security Tips

With more than 45 years of experience in the home and business security industry, here are our top eight tips for discouraging intruders and burglars from targeting your home. 1. Create the illusion that someone is at your house. If you are going to be gone for an extended time, leave a light or TV…

Continue reading
24h emergency
Secure My Space