Cellular Service in Places with No Signal

Good question!

We generally get better reception than a typical cell phone, because our system doesn't have to fit in your pocket -- so it's got a bigger antenna and power supply. We also have access to mulltiple carriers, so we can try to find the best signal for your location. That said, in some rare cases, cell reception is lower than we'd like and at those times we recommend using a phone line or internet connection as a backup. The internet connection does require purchasing a broadband adapter from us ($59).

I'd recommend you give our team a call at 1-888-957-4675 -- one of the security consultants can help check coverage maps and make a plan for you. And remember, if it's not working the way you want it to, you can always return it for a full refund (we'll even cover shipping) for 60 days.

Chad

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SimpliSafe Wireless Home Security
Live. Safely.

I have good cell service where I live. My carrier is AT&T. After installing my Simplisafe system, it will not work without being connected to a land-line, and there is a red light blinking in the base station. After asking some questions, I find out that the red light means that the cell module is searching for a signal. I found out today that if T-mobile does not work in your area, you need a different module to connect to AT&T, and that the cost of monitoring goes up by $2.00 a month. So, I recommend that anyone considering a Simplisafe system ask a lot of questions about the carrier signal strength in your area, what will be required to make Simplisafe work in your area, and what the monitoring cost for your particular area and carrier will be. Otherwise you will be left scratching your head trying to figure out all this stuff and then ask to pay more. It is still a better deal than I have found anywhere else. However, at $22.00 a month, it is starting to approach the $30 a month that the local company wanted. I'm still $8.00 ahead and not obligated from now till 2020 on a contract. I'm looking forward to ALL of this working so I can move on to other things.

plh

Yeah, I had a similar problem. After purchasing the system I found out that Tmobile doesn't have coverage at my locatio (which eventually should change with the merger) but I needed to request a new cell module with ATT as the carrier. I have spotty cell coverage to start with but I did install a cellular repeater ( not particularly inexpensive btw ) so I get a solid signal on ATT and Verizon ( they both have nodes on the same tower ) so I expect when I get the TT module from Simplisafe I should be good to go. In the mean time I've had to use dial up. I would suggest calling Simplisafe BEFORE ordering a system and have them check your coverage on Tmobile as that seems to be their preferred carrier.

Does this means that the system is programmed to use only T-Mobile ? Thanks

What multiple carriers does Simplisafe have? I have a Sprint tower about 1000 feet from my house. Only one mentioned to me was T-moble by support. Should post this on the web site.

@ bshannon2

Thanks for posting! The cell carrier we use on all new systems is T-Mobile and typically works great for most customers! We can also provide service over the Skytel and USA Mobility networks!

Ryan K.
SimpliSafe Buglar Alarms

It appears the cell service is the weak link in this system. My area has ATT but no T Mobile service. It lists it as moderate however that is not the case. I have had others attempt using T Mobile phones with no service.

I like the system however without Cell service with ATT the monitored function is worthless. Local burglaries have ALL cut phone service as well as pulling the service meters!

@ reelleisure

Thanks for posting! We apologize that we cannot cover 100% of the country but it is fairly close! If the coverage map shows coverage in your area then we may just need to find the right spot in your home. If you have not purchased yet, you can always take advantage of the 60-day return policy and find out if we can get it working in your home!

Ryan K.
SimpliSafe Wireless Security Systems

Perhaps this is a better place to post this..... I Recently received and installed my system, I love it but have a few issues. First, there is absolutely no tmobile coverage at my residence, it is spotty in nearby communities but nothing here.I was told on the phone that tmobile is the only option yet I've read a few posts where Ryan K has mentioned other options such as Skytel, USA Mobile, and US Mobility. Also several people have mentioned exchanging the tmobile base for an AT&T equipped base station. Is an AT&T unit available? or any others? I would like to have the security of not having to worry about my phone or broadband lines being cut.
Second, although the system is connected to the landline and I have activated the moitoring service, sent the test signal which was confirmed by dispatch, when I check my account online it shows an alert that I need to send a test signal. I was told this should go away but it hasn't. Also , there are no events found and I am receiving no text or email notifications at all. I was told that because I was using the landline that the events would take 20-30 minutes to post to my account......... Ryan K (or someone more knowledgeable than the phone customer service) can you please help me?????
Thank you in advance,
Greg

I would like to purchase this system, however I cannot receive Tmobile service and my house does not have a land line or a internet connection...Will the At&T cell service work with this alarm?? Thank You.

@ mrsegm

Thanks for posting! SimpliSafe cannot offer any other cell service provider other than T-Mobile at this time. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Ryan K.
SimpliSafe Buglar Alarms

Warning!
If you are looking at SimpliSafe because you need a cell connection alarm system, and you don't have a strong T-Mobile signal in your location, you need to buy something else. Also, to those of you that are thinking about upgrading to SimpliSafe 2, again, don't do it unless you have a good T-Mobile signal. I don't have T-Mobile in my area, and SimpliSafe had sent an AT&T cell module to make my system work. After ordering the upgrade, I was told that AT&T was not available for SimpliSafe 2. So, I am having to use the network adapter to make mine work from now on. That just took away one of the main reasons that I signed up with SimpliSafe. I really don't understand SimpliSafe's reluctance to offer connection through the major carriers. This is a tremendous negative in my view!

It's all in the numbers. TMobile cuts a pretty good deal for these type of data cellular applications. The other carriers charge more per SIM card/customers and have heavy user commitment requirements to get the costs down to a reasonable (profitable) level. I tried the cellular repeater route and still got only very sporadic coverage with Tmobile mostly no signal, certainly not reliable enough to trust my security to and that's with me using high gain directional antennas high on my roof peak and on top of 14 feet of antenna mast and I do rf/cell for a living. The upside is I have fantastic cell phone coverage (Verizon and AT&T) all over my house. doesn't help me with security though. Check the TMobile coverage for your location - if they don't have coverage this isn't the solution - youre stuck with dial up POTS or broadband (extra charge for the broadband module) both of which In SS's own words are a bad idea "would you trust your security to a system that can be defeated with a $3 pair of scissors ".