Comparison
Traditional intercom or IP intercom?
Aiphone and handset intercoms have equipped thousands of buildings. IP intercoms like UniFi Intercom change the game. An honest comparison.
| Traditional intercom | UniFi Intercom (IP) | |
|---|---|---|
| Answering | Handset or screen in every unit | Resident’s phone, screen optional |
| Cabling | Wire to every unit | Network cable to the panel only |
| Directory | On site | Remote |
| Resident away | Nobody answers | Answers from anywhere |
| History | Rarely | Visits and openings logged |
Why buildings are switching
Handsets fail one by one, parts get scarce and every repair means entering a unit. With an IP intercom, maintenance happens at the entrance only.
When to keep a wired system
For residents without a smartphone, we add indoor viewers in those units, or keep a call path to a landline depending on the setup.
Free tool
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can we transition in stages?
Yes, entrance by entrance.
Planning building intercom?
Describe your situation in a few lines; an engineer will call you back quickly. The site visit and quote are free.
Quote
Request a quote
Free, no obligation. A quick answer from an engineer, in English or French.
- Free site visit and quote
- An engineer, not a salesperson
- RBQ licensed, 15+ years’ experience
- Hardware stocked on altea.io
Updated 2026-11-05