Protect America’s Canadian Home Security Service
USA based “Protect America Inc.” has expanded operations to Canada and now offers monitoring service in Alberta, BC and Ontario. No word on other locations yet, but there are some rumours on their advancement into Saskatchewan followed by Manitoba shortly.
Protect America Services
As with most national alarm providers Protect America focuses on contract agreements with reduced up front costs, and leased equipment.
- 3 Year / 36 Month Contracts on all packages
- Equipment is owned by Protect America, and has to be returned within 14 days of contract termination (Systems are based off of GE Simon XT Control technology)
- All service is monitored by their national monitoring centres, these function with either telephone line or broadband service. At this time there is no Canadian GSM/Cell monitoring service by Protect America.
How much does Protect America Cost?
Phone line monitoring rates start at $19.99 for the most basic package and go up the $42.99 for their top of the line package. Broadband (Internet) monitoring is $27.99 to $50.99. (Click here to see our comparison of monitoring technologies).
Monitoring Package Breakdowns
| Service | Platinum Security | Gold Security | Silver Security | Bronze Security | Copper Security |
| Control Panel | GE Simon XT | GE Simon XT | GE Simon XT | GE Simon XT | GE Simon XT |
| Home Automation (Smart Connect) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Doors/Windows | 15 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Motion Detectors | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Stickers +Signs Total | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Controller Keychains | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Installation / Setup Costs | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Contract Term (in Months) | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 |
| Monthly Costs | |||||
| Landline Monitoring | $42.99 | $39.99 | $37.99 | $35.99 | $19.99 |
| Broadband Monitoring | $50.99 | $47.99 | $45.99 | $43.99 | $28.99 |
| Cellular/GSM Monitoring | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Review
As a newcomer, reviews of Protect America’s Canadian monitoring service is limited. But a few points stand out:
- The Copper is very reasonably priced for a basic package if you use a phone line
- GE Simon XT control panel is a well established consistent performer
- The lack of a Cellular / GSM option is a big miss, broadband may be suitable for some consumers, but the extra cost is not justified.
Protect America is a reasonable choice for those seeking phonline or broadband monitoring, but the absence of a cellular GSM option stands out. We expect them to add a cell monitoring option to their line, and well also expect expanded service beyond BC, Alberta and Ontario.
