PhoneWatch
PhoneWatch Limited is Ireland's largest professionally monitored home and business security provider, owned by Norway's Sector Alarm Group. It sells, installs, and 24/7-monitors wireless alarm systems, cameras, smoke and water-leak detectors, and a smart-home app for ~120,000 Irish households.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1991
- HeadquartersDublin, Ireland
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What PhoneWatch does
PhoneWatch Limited, founded in 1991 and headquartered in Dublin, is Ireland's largest professionally monitored home and business security provider, operating as a regional subsidiary of the Norwegian Sector Alarm Group (Sector Alarm Holding AS). The company sells and installs wireless alarm systems that combine intrusion sensors (motion, contact/shock, glass break, water leak), smoke detectors with three-layer fire detection, indoor/outdoor cameras, a smart doorbell, and a smart plug, all linked via a security gateway to its own 24/7 Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC). Average alarm-response time is independently measured at 14.83 seconds (3-month basis to January 2025), and the company holds PSA licence 00621 with garda-vetted ARC operators. Customers access the system via the award-winning PhoneWatch App (iF Design Award 2024), which provides remote arm/disarm, real-time alerts, camera viewing, automation, and direct ARC chat.
Commercially, PhoneWatch operates a sales-led, high-touch go-to-market: a website quote tool, an inside-sales phone team, and a nationwide field force of security advisors conduct in-home consultations and professional installations. Revenue is generated through a 12-month subscription contract combining monthly monitoring fees, one-time equipment package sales (Starter, Premium, and Business Security Packs from €99), camera add-ons (€100/€175), and installation services; a referral program (3 months free monitoring for the referrer, €50 off installation for the referred friend) supports acquisition. Primary customers are 120,000+ Irish residential households (homeowners, apartment dwellers, holiday-home owners, families with elderly relatives, frequent travelers), with a secondary commercial segment served via the Business Security Pack; the operational footprint is Ireland-wide and the company does not publicly disclose financials.
PhoneWatch firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- PhoneWatch
- Legal name
- PhoneWatch Limited
- Website
- https://phonewatch.ie
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1991
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- PhoneWatch Limited is Ireland's largest professionally monitored home and business security provider, owned by Norway's Sector Alarm Group. It sells, installs, and 24/7-monitors wireless alarm systems, cameras, smoke and water-leak detectors, and a smart-home app for ~120,000 Irish households.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
PhoneWatch industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Home Security Monitoring Services
- NAICS
- Security Systems Services (except Locksmiths) (561621)
- SIC
- Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Fire Alarm Monitoring Services (HSAHAAAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Commercial & Industrial Alarm Monitoring (BPAKAFAB), Video Doorbell & Intercom Monitoring Services (HSAHAAAH)
Keywords
Where PhoneWatch is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Dublin
- HQ country
- Ireland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
PhoneWatch business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Monthly Monitoring Services: Recurring monthly fees for 24/7 professional monitoring services through the Alarm Receiving Centre, including system health checks, emergency response coordination, and ongoing support. Monitoring fees apply to all packages.
- Alarm System Packages: One-time purchase of alarm equipment packages including Starter Pack, Premium Home Security Pack, and Business Security Pack. Packages include sensors, detectors, keypad, keytags, and app access. House alarm pack available from €99 with installation included.
- Video Camera Add-ons: Additional cost for video cameras added to alarm packs, available at €100/€175 representing 50% discount on RRP.
- Professional Installation: Professional installation services by qualified security advisors included in package pricing. Free alarm installation for existing customers moving home.
- Referral Rewards: Referral program offering 3 months free monitoring for existing customers who refer friends, and €50 off installation for referred friends.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Starter Home Security Pack |
| Subscription | Annual | Premium Home Security Pack |
| Subscription | Annual | Business Security Pack |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
PhoneWatch product offering
Product offeringCore offering
PhoneWatch sells and professionally installs monitored alarm systems for Irish homes and businesses. Each system comprises wireless sensors, cameras, smoke/water-leak detectors and a central gateway connected to a 24/7 Alarm Receiving Centre that verifies alerts and dispatches emergency services within an average of 15 seconds. Customers also receive the PhoneWatch App for remote arm/disarm, real-time alerts and live camera feeds. Recurring monthly monitoring subscriptions are bundled with the equipment sale and installation.
Product overview
PhoneWatch offers a comprehensive monitored home and business security ecosystem consisting of multiple interconnected products and services. The core offering includes professionally installed and monitored alarm systems connected 24/7 to an Alarm Receiving Centre with approximately 15-second response times. The product portfolio comprises three alarm packages (Starter, Premium, and Business Security Packs) containing various combinations of security sensors and cameras. Security Cameras include Outdoor, Indoor HD, 180º HD Video, Video Doorbell, Camera Motion Detector, and Battery Operated models. Security Sensors encompass Optical Smoke Detector, Contact and Shock Detector, Motion Detector, Water Leakage Detector, Glass Break Detector, and Indoor Siren. Essential accessories include Alarm Signs/Stickers, Keypad/Keytags, Portable Voice Unit, Remote Control, Security Gateway, and Outdoor Bellbox. The Smart Home line features the PhoneWatch App (award-winning mobile application with iF Design Award) and Smart Plug. Services include 24/7 Alarm Monitoring, Burglar Alarm, and Smoke Alarm services, all connected to a certified Alarm Receiving Centre for emergency dispatch.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- 24/7 Alarm Monitoring Service Professional monitoring service with the Alarm Receiving Centre staffed around the clock. Trained operators verify alerts within seconds and contact emergency services when required, with an average response time of 14.83 seconds (measured up to January 2025). Available to all PhoneWatch alarm system customers on a recurring monthly fee basis.
- Burglar Alarm Service Professional monitored alarm service protecting against burglary using intrusion detection sensors, shock detectors, motion sensors, and camera verification, all linked to the 24/7 Alarm Receiving Centre. Targeted at residential and small-business customers in Ireland.
- Smoke Alarm Monitoring Service
Quantifiable outcome
- 15-second average alarm response time (measured at 14.83 seconds up to January 2025)
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use PhoneWatch
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
PhoneWatch technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature8 records
PhoneWatch partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Sector Alarm Holding AScoreSector Alarm Holding AS is the controlling entity of the European Sector Alarm Group. PhoneWatch is part of this group and uses group IT function for administering IT applications. The group provides centralized infrastructure and shared services.
- Google Inc.minorPhoneWatch uses Google for marketing placement of open positions on the internet. Additionally, Google Enhanced Conversions and Google Customer Match Audiences are used for remarketing, personalization, conversion tracking, and audience identification.
- Facebook Inc. / MetaminorPhoneWatch uses Facebook and Meta platforms for marketing placement of open positions and Facebook CAPI and Facebook Custom Audiences for remarketing and personalization activities. Processing of personal data occurs outside the EEA.
- Drury CommunicationsminorDrury Communications handles media and press queries for PhoneWatch as their PR agency.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
PhoneWatch competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Sector Alarm: Parent company and direct Norwegian peer operating the same professionally installed and monitored home alarm model with own Alarm Receiving Centre. Direct comparability on technology stack, go-to-market, and subscription model, and the closest read-across for PhoneWatch's economics.
- ADT Ireland: Direct competitor in the Irish professionally monitored alarm market. Same home-security vertical, same professionally installed and 24/7-monitored service model, and overlapping Irish customer base; the most relevant head-to-head competitor in PhoneWatch's home market.
Broad incumbents
- Verisure: Europe's largest professionally monitored home security provider, active across multiple countries including the UK and Iberia. Comparable on professionally installed alarm + 24/7 monitoring subscription model and serves as the pan-European incumbent benchmark.
- Securitas: Global security services incumbent with Irish operations covering manned guarding and electronic security including alarm monitoring. Overlaps with PhoneWatch's commercial/Business Security Pack and broader security services category.
Emerging players
- SimpliSafe: DIY and professionally monitored home security brand active in the UK and parts of Europe. Comparable product/market category to PhoneWatch but with a different, lower-touch installation and pricing model, representing the DIY-adjacent threat.
- Ring (Amazon): Amazon-owned smart home security brand (doorbells, cameras, alarm) competing at the entry-level price point. Not a direct head-to-head at the professionally monitored tier, but a meaningful substitute for price-sensitive Irish homeowners shopping for video doorbells and self-monitored systems.
- Yale (ASSA ABLOY): Smart lock and home security brand with growing presence in DIY alarm kits and smart home ecosystems in Europe. Competes with PhoneWatch at the DIY / self-install price tier and as an alternative security brand in Ireland.
Regional players
- Chubb Fire & Security: UK-and-Ireland-focused fire and security provider with monitored alarm services for commercial and residential customers. Direct overlap on commercial alarm monitoring and a relevant competitor for PhoneWatch's Business Security Pack.
Others
- Eir (telecom bundle security services): Irish telecoms operator that has bundled smart home and security offerings into broadband plans. Not a direct competitor in monitored alarms but a distribution and bundling threat via the telco channel in PhoneWatch's core Irish market.
- Netatmo (Legrand): European smart home brand offering cameras, doorbells, and security sensors as part of a connected home platform. Adjacent / enabling competitor relevant to PhoneWatch's smart home expansion into cameras, doorbells, and the PhoneWatch App ecosystem.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
PhoneWatch social profiles
Digital presencePhoneWatch financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
PhoneWatch leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
PhoneWatch funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
PhoneWatch M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about PhoneWatch
What does PhoneWatch do?
PhoneWatch sells and professionally installs monitored alarm systems for Irish homes and businesses. Each system comprises wireless sensors, cameras, smoke/water-leak detectors and a central gateway connected to a 24/7 Alarm Receiving Centre that verifies alerts and dispatches emergency services within an average of 15 seconds. Customers also receive the PhoneWatch App for remote arm/disarm, real-time alerts and live camera feeds. Recurring monthly monitoring subscriptions are bundled with the equipment sale and installation.
Is PhoneWatch a public or private company?
PhoneWatch is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was PhoneWatch founded?
PhoneWatch was founded in 1991. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is PhoneWatch based?
PhoneWatch is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, in the Europe region.
How does PhoneWatch make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Monthly Monitoring Services are the primary driver. The others are alarm System Packages, video Camera Add-ons, professional Installation and referral Rewards.
Who are PhoneWatch's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Sector Alarm and ADT Ireland. Broad incumbents are Verisure and Securitas. Emerging players are SimpliSafe, Ring (Amazon) and Yale (ASSA ABLOY). Chubb Fire & Security is listed as a regional player. Others are Eir (telecom bundle security services) and Netatmo (Legrand).
Does PhoneWatch have an API?
No public API is recorded for PhoneWatch.
What industry is PhoneWatch in?
PhoneWatch's product category is Home Security Monitoring Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSAHAAAI, Fire Alarm Monitoring Services, with a secondary code of BPAKAFAB, Commercial & Industrial Alarm Monitoring. Its NAICS code is 561621 and its SIC code is 3825.