It is strongly suggested to perform the steps shown in this guide in your office or lab at least 24 hours before going to the installation site. This ensures that the SIM card will be ready to communicate with Alarm.com and also allow you to detect any possible problems before going to the client site.

The advantage of first testing the communication link at your office/lab before going to the client site is that it tells us that the SIM card has been registered on the network successfully at least once, which allows us to rule out a malfunction in the cellular module or the SIM card.

Cellular module installation

Install the cellular module as shown in the following instructions. Verify the connection between the panel and the module is secure.

1. The battery and the power supply should be disconnected.
2. Begin by accessing the panel’s circuit board by removing the back cover.
   
3. Prepare the cellular module. This component is not a part of the panel by default, and must normally be ordered separately.
   
4. Plug the cellular module into the panel. Make sure the module plugs tightly into the socket near the top. 
   
5. Use the screws provided in the package to secure the cellular module to the panel.
   
6. Prepare the cellular module antenna.
   

7. Connect the antenna to the cellular module.
   
   Note: The 2GIG cellular module antenna is designed to be installed outside the panel. The manufacturer recommends leaving it to hang inside the wall where the panel is installed. If the wall is not hollow, the manufacturer recommends placing the antenna outside the panel, between the panel and the wall.

8. Connect the battery and then the AC power cord, as per manufacturer instructions.
   
   Caution: Do not turn on the power just yet.

9. Reinstall the back cover and connect the panel to the electrical outlet. The panel may take up to a minute to initialize itself.
   

Creating an Alarm.com user account

Create a user account in Alarm.com to associate with the panel. This is very important since the creation of the account puts the SIM card into Active mode. By default, SIM cards are inactivated when they come from the factory. For information on how to create a user account, see How to create an Alarm.com account.

After you have created the account, it can take up to 30 minutes for the SIM card to enter the Active mode. Please wait this amount of time before going on to the next step.

Test the cellular link

Now that the panel has the cellular module installed and the corresponding user account has been created, perform a cellular phone test to test the communication link between the panel and Alarm.com servers. For more information about performing a cell phone test, see Send a communication test from a 2GIG GoControl. 

If this test is successful, it means the panel is communicating with Alarm.com, and therefore the interactive services (remote control via the web and mobile applications) will be operational.

Note: It is possible that the cellular test may fail on the first attempt, especially if this is the first time the SIM card is being registered on the network. It might take two or three attempts before the card is registered for the first time.

Cell phone test fails

If the cellular test fails after several attempts, try the following steps:

1. Disconnect all power from the panel (including the batteries) and leave it disconnected for two minutes. Check all the connections listed in the Cellular module connection. Then, perform the cell phone test again.
2. If the cellular test continues to fail, move the panel close to a window and try again. The idea is to keep as few obstacles (e.g., walls, ceilings, etc.) as possible between the panel and the outdoors to connect to its carrier's cellular tower. Try running the cell phone test again at the new location.
3. If the cellular test continues to fail when the panel is moved near a window, or even tested outside, contact Alarm.com CORE Technical Support for further troubleshooting. You will be asked to provide the IMEI number of the cellular module. For more information about finding the IMEI number, see Find the serial number on a module. 
   • At this point, it would be extremely useful to know if there is another panel at the same location that is communicating successfully. This would allow you to rule out a problem with cellular network coverage.