Making Sense of Modern Home Security Without Landlines (or Monthly Fees)
For decades, home security followed a simple (and expensive) formula: a wired system, connected to a landline, monitored by a company charging hefty monthly fees. But just like landline phones have become a thing of the past, traditional security systems are being replaced by more flexible, DIY alternatives.
But here’s the thing—while landline-based alarms are mostly obsolete, traditional security providers didn’t just disappear. Instead, they switched to cellular-based systems with built-in 4G/LTE communicators. Sounds modern, right? Well, there’s a catch: cellular monitoring almost always comes with a monthly fee—and you’re still locked into a closed ecosystem with limited control.
So, what’s the real alternative?
The Rise of DIY Security
Over the past decade, brands like Ring, SimpliSafe, and Arlo have disrupted the industry by introducing wireless, app-controlled security solutions. These systems ditch landlines, avoid long-term contracts, and offer easy installation, all at a fraction of the price of old-school setups.
But Are They Really Better?
While DIY security systems solve some problems, they introduce new ones:
Easy to Install – No drilling or wiring required.
Lower Upfront Cost – Pay for only the equipment you need.
App-Based Control – Get instant notifications and control from your phone.
Battery-Powered Sensors – Replacing batteries every few months on dozens of sensors gets old fast.
Ongoing Fees – Require a subscription for full functionality.
Limited Customization – Many are closed ecosystems that don’t integrate with other smart home devices and apps.
Cloud Dependency – If your internet goes down, so does your security.
Privacy Concerns – Your security data lives on someone else’s servers.
If you want no fees, no cloud dependency, and full control, these DIY systems still don’t quite cut it.
Why Konnected is the Best Alternative
Konnected takes smart security even further—by giving you the flexibility to modernize your system without getting roped into another monitoring contract.
Reuse What You Already Have – Convert your wired sensors into a smart system instead of replacing them with less reliable, high-maintenance wireless ones.
No Monthly Fees – Once you install it, it’s yours—no subscriptions, no contracts.
Faster, Fee-Free Monitoring – With self-monitoring, you’re always in control. Get instant alerts on your phone and notify trusted contacts without waiting for a call center. In many cases, this results in faster response times than professional monitoring—without the recurring fees. (Learn more: Why Smart Home & Friends/Family Monitoring Outshine Professional Monitoring)
Works With Your Smart Home – Integrates seamlessly with SmartThings, Home Assistant, Hubitat, and more.
More Control, More Customization – Open-source and highly adaptable to your needs.
100% Local Options – With hub-based local smart home ecosystems like Home Assistant and Hubitat, Konnected works without cloud dependency—so your security stays in your hands, not in someone else’s servers.
The End of Landline Security (and Fee-Based Monitoring)
Landline security systems are no longer the standard, and today’s monitored alarm companies have replaced them with cellular-based systems that still come with recurring fees.
So why keep paying for outdated, closed security systems when smarter, fee-free alternatives exist? With Konnected, you get all the benefits of modern security—without the limits, fees, or unnecessary hardware replacements.
Time to Cut the Cord?
Ditch the landline (and the cellular radio). Keep your security. Make your home smarter with Konnected.