Delivery of alarm system event data and audio

A system for delivery of alarm system event data and connecting a voice channel, comprising:

• an alarm system configured to
• detect an alarm event, and
• communicate alarm event data representative of the alarm event;
• a message processing gateway configured to
• receive the alarm event data from the alarm system,
• evaluate whether the alarm system is configured for two-way voice functionality, and
• send instructions to contact a central alarm monitoring station if the alarm system is deemed configured for two-way voice functionality;
• and
• a private telecommunications switch configured to
• open a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) voice channel between the private telecommunications switch and the central alarm monitoring station and communicate the alarm event data to the central alarm monitoring station, in response to the instructions to contact the central alarm monitoring station,
• determine whether the PSTN voice channel between the private telecommunications switch and the central alarm monitoring station remains open after communication of the alarm event data to the central alarm monitoring station, and
• bridge the PSTN voice channel between the private telecommunications switch and the central alarm monitoring station to the alarm system, to create a voice channel between the alarm system and the central alarm monitoring station, in response to a determination that the PSTN voice channel between the private telecommunications switch and the central alarm monitoring station remains open.

An apparatus for delivery of alarm system event data and connecting a voice channel, comprising:

• a message processing gateway configured to
• receive alarm event data from an alarm system,
• evaluate whether the alarm system is associated with a customer account that is active and in good standing with respect to account balance for services rendered or payment schedule, and
• send instructions to contact a central alarm monitoring station if the alarm system is deemed to be associated with the customer account that is active and in good standing;
• and
• a private telecommunications switch configured to
• open a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) voice channel between the private telecommunications switch and the central alarm monitoring station and communicate the alarm event data to the central alarm monitoring station, in response to the instructions to contact the central alarm monitoring station,
• determine whether the PSTN voice channel between the private telecommunications switch and the central alarm monitoring station remains open after communication of the alarm event data to the central alarm monitoring station, and
• bridge the PSTN voice channel between the private telecommunications switch and the central alarm monitoring station to the alarm system, to create a voice channel between the alarm system and the central alarm monitoring station, in response to a determination that the PSTN voice channel between the private telecommunications switch and the central alarm monitoring station remains open.